Galway hurling manager Micheal Donoghue was a happy man after seeing his team come through their first major 2018 championship hurdle with comfort on Sunday (27th May) in Pearse Stadium.
The All-Ireland champions waited until near the end to shake off Kilkenny’s challenge but ran out 1-22 to 2-11 winners in the first Leinster Senior Hurling game played in Salthill.
With two wins from two, Galway have one foot in the knockout series and another positive result in Wexford on Saturday (2nd June) will guarantee them a provincial final place.
“Yeah,” said Donoghue to John Knox from the Kilkenny People. “Happy out. In fairness, the last couple of weeks went well for us in training. We were keen to get back into the match situation. There are four games in this series.
Kilkenny glad of weekend break after three weeks of action https://t.co/C3Ux8Yzedm pic.twitter.com/o8ShfaAUAG
— Kilkenny People (@KKPeopleSport) May 30, 2018
“We did put a lot into the fact that this was our first championship game here in Galway. The lads have built a massive rapport with the supporters.
“You could see by the size of the crowd what it all means to the people of Galway to have a game here. The lads responded to that. We know it is just game two. We are going into a big challenge next week.”
Massive crowds filtering into Pearse Stadium ahead of the Galway hurlers clash with Kilkenny. Should be a cracker. #galwayhurling #GAA pic.twitter.com/vtT2feubxB
— David Connors (@peterswellman) May 27, 2018
“Galway are very, very strong and we know that,” added Kilkenny manager Brian Cody. “The hurlers have been there the whole time. And they are a hugely strong team. They have an awful lot going for them.”
Galway’s next outing in the 2018 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship is against Wexford on Saturday, 2nd June. Throw-in at Innovate Wexford Park is 5pm.
