Galway Down Cork To Win Hurling Title

Allianz GAA National Hurling League: Cork 1-17 Galway 2-22

Galway were crowned Allianz GAA National Hurling League champions for the first time since 2004 at Semple Stadium last weekend.

The Tribesmen ran out comfortable eight-point winners against Cork in front of 14,200 spectators in Thurles.

Joe Canning was in blistering attacking form for the Westerners as he bagged 1-5 from play but this was a scintillating attacking display from Galway, who could also afford the luxury of 17 wides.

Galway had a dream start when Damien Hayes netted a brilliant solo goal at the Killinan End with just 75 seconds on the watch after cutting in along the right touchline and at half-time, the winners led by 2-12 to 1-11.

It was a richly entertaining encounter pockmarked by some wonderful long range scores, including a brace of sideline cuts from Cork's Ben O'Connor, but Galway had the greater firepower.

Galway also coped well defensively with Cork's 'twin towers' - Aisake Ó'hAilpín and Michael Cussen - while Canning was unstoppable at the other end of the pitch.

There's no doubting that Galway have players of massive ability but there was a real steel about their performance this evening which marks them out as massive contenders for a first senior All-Ireland title since 1988.

All six of their starting forwards were on target from play as Galway claimed a ninth Division 1 title while goalkeeper Colm Callanan also had a part to play as he turned Pat Horgan's 40th minute penalty over the crossbar.

Callanan was also called upon in the 18th minute, first pushing Tom Kenny's low drive to safety before following up with an even better save to deny Cathal Naughton.

Crucially, Galway played against the wind in the opening half and had secured a four-point lead at the midway point.

With 19 minutes on the watch, the scores were level at 1-3 to 0-6 and Cork moved ahead when Cathal Naughton booted home a 23rd minute goal after losing possession of the sliotar.

Just a minute later, Canning replied with a majestic strike into the top corner and a strong finish to the half saw Galway move into the ascendancy.

Canning and Aidan Harte struck early second half points for Galway as they moved six clear while Horgan's penalty miss was another crucial moment after John Gardiner was adjudged to have been fouled.

The best Cork could do in the second half was cutting the gap back to four points with half an hour remaining but this was Galway's day and Canning called the tune as the scores flowed freely.

Galway will hope to replicate this form against Wexford in the Leinster SHC quarter-final on May 29 while Cork face Tipperary in a Munster quarter-final a day later.