Afternoon all and welcome along on Leinster hurling final day to our coverage as Kilkenny face Galway in Croke Park. Throw-in at 4pm.

It’s already been a hugely significant day at Croke Park, Kildare crowned Joe McDonagh Cup champions with their 2-26 to 1-19 victory over Laois.

It’s been an amazing hurling rise by Kildare:

• 2024 - Christy Ring Cup champions.
• 2025 - Joe McDonagh Cup champions, after losing first round to Kerry and now play Dublin in All-Ireland SHC series.
• 2026 – In Leinster senior hurling championship.

𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧

From the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup Final

Congratulations to Kildare who will play in the 2026 Leinster Senior Hurling Championship!

Kildare 2-26
Laois 1-19#LeinsterGAA #Leinster125 #Championship pic.twitter.com/naIhza4V6T

— Leinster GAA (@gaaleinster) June 8, 2025

Here’s the teams named for the Leinster final, we’ll let you know of any late changes.

*****

Kilkenny:

1. Eoin Murphy (Glenmore)

2. Mikey Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), 3. Huw Lawlor (O’Loughlin Gaels), 4. Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan)

5. Mikey Carey (Young Irelands), 6. Richie Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 7. Paddy Deegan (O’Loughlin Gaels)

8. Cian Kenny (James Stephens), 9. Jordan Molloy (O’Loughlin Gaels)

10. John Donnelly (Thomastown – captain), 11. Adrian Mullen (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 12. Billy Ryan (Graigue Ballycallan)

13. Stephen Donnelly (Thomastown), 14. TJ Reid (Shamrocks Ballyhale), 15. Martin Keoghan (Tullaroan)

Subs:

• 16. Aidan Tallis (Lisdowney)
• 17. Pádraic Moylan (Dicksboro)
• 18. David Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge)
• 19. Shane Murphy (Glenmore)
• 20. Killian Doyle (Emeralds)
• 21. Zach Bay Hammond (Thomastown)
• 22. Fionán Mackessy (O’Loughlin Gaels)
• 23. Harry Shine (Dicksboro)
• 24. Luke Hogan (O’Loughlin Gaels)
• 25. Luke Connellan (Thomastown)
• 26. Marty Murphy (Tullogher-Rosbercon)

Galway:

1. Eanna Murphy (Tommy Larkins)

2. Padraic Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh), 3. Daithí Burke (Turloughmore), 4. Fintan Burke (St Thomas’)

5. Cianan Fahey (Ardrahan), 6. Gavin Lee (Clarinbridge), 7. TJ Brennan (Clarinbridge)

8. Seán Linnane (Turloughmore), 9. David Burke (St Thomas’)

10. John Fleming (Meelick Eyrecourt), 11. Cathal Mannion (Ahascragh Fohenagh), 12. Tom Monaghan (Craughwell)

13. Conor Whelan (Kinvara), 14. Brian Concannon (Killimordaly), 15. Kevin Cooney (Sarsfields)

Subs:

• 16. Darragh Walsh (Turloughmore)
• 17. Darren Morrissey (Sarsfields)
• 18. Jack Grealish (Gort)
• 19. Joshua Ryan (Clarinbridge)
• 20. Dan Loftus (Turloughmore)
• 21. Ronan Glennon (Mullagh)
• 22. Conor Cooney (St Thomas’)
• 23. Tiernan Killeen (Loughrea)
• 24. Anthony Burns (Loughrea)
• 25. Colm Molloy (Kilnadeema Leitrim)
• 26. Jason Flynn (Tommy Larkins)

Close to throw-in now as Kilkenny chase a sixth consecutive Leinster title. We saw Cork  break Limerick’s Munster dominance last night, can Galway replicate that here?

The losers play an All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary or Laois on Saturday June 21st, the winners through to the All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday July 6th.

Game on in Croke Park.

Kilkenny 0-1  Galway 0-0

2 mins – Adrian Mullen opens the scoring, neat layoff by Stephen Donnelly to set up his Kilkenny team-mate.

Kilkenny’s TJ Reid arrives.

Galway’s Conor Whelan takes to the field James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny 0-1 Galway 0-1

5 mins – Super play by Galway in working the ball out of defence, Sean Linnane delivers, Kevin Cooney gathers and points.

Galway 0-2 Kilkenny 0-1

6 mins – David Burke arrows in a delivery, Kevin Cooney is out in front and is fouled by Tommy Walsh. Cathal Mannion obliges for Galway by snapping over the resultant free.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-1

8 mins – More good Galway interplay as they work it from the Hogan Stand side across to the Cusack Stand wing, TJ Brennan rounds off the move to point.

11 mins – Wides on either side, Cathal Mannion for Galway, Mossy Keoghan for Kilkenny.

Galway 0-3 Kilkenny 0-3

12 mins – No mistake this time from Keoghan for Kilkenny, John Donnelly feeding him and the Tullaroan man scored under pressure from the sideline. Then Donnelly himself steps up to tie the game.

Galway manager Micheál Donoghue. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny 0-4 Galway 0-4

14 mins – The point scorer for Kilkenny is Jordan Molloy, but it’s all about the burst out of defence from Huw Lawlor to set that up. Galway reply instantly through an excellent score from Tom Monaghan.

Kilkenny 0-5 Galway 0-4

15 mins – Stephen Donnelly nudges Kilkenny back in front.

Galway 0-6 Kilkenny 0-5 

16 mins – The scoring rate is flying up now. John Fleming and Cathal Mannion point in quick succession for Galway.

Kilkenny 0-6 Galway 0-6

18 mins – Billy Ryan points and it’s a draw game now.

Kilkenny 0-7 Galway 0-7

22 mins – TJ Reid slots a free and puts Kilkenny back in front, before a stunning Cathal Mannion score levels it for Galway.

Kilkenny 0-9 Galway 0-7

24 mins – There’s been a pattern of the teams trading points but the gap is out to two as TJ is as composed as usual in notching a pair of frees for Kilkenny.

28 mins – Wides on both sides, TJ Reid from a free for Kilkenny’s  sixth and then Cianan Fahy from play for Galway, their fifth. Game struggling to truly ignite.

Kilkenny 0-9 Galway 0-8

31 mins – Mannion’s free pulls a point back for Galway.

Goal for Kilkenny from Martin Keoghan!

Kilkenny 1-9 Galway 0-8

34 mins – A slow burning encounter finally gets a moment to spark it into life. TJ Reid provides the inspiration as he gatheres the ball, shows the initiative to carry it in and fire a low drive for goal  rather than tapping over a handy point. It’s a terrific diving save by Eanna Murphy but Keoghan is on hard, showing the alertness to bundle in the rebound.

Sub: Galway bring on Darren Morrissey for Fintan Burke.

Half-Time: Kilkenny 1-9 Galway 0-8

So that’s it at the break, Kilkenny four to the good thanks to the crucial score of the half from Martin Keoghan with his goal before the interval. Galway still in touch but not making much headway against the Kilkenny defence.

The game is…well, somewhat subdued. Neither team have really hit their stride yet in Croke Park.

Kilkenny’s TJ Reid and Fintan Burke of Galway James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Sub: Galway have brought on Darragh Walsh in goal after Eanna Murphy has gone off injured. Galway now at their third-choice netminder with Darach Fahy out through suspension before the game.

Second-half action underway.

Kilkenny 1-9 Galway 0-9

38 mins – TJ Reid registers Kilkenny’s ninth wide of the day, Cathal Mannion slots a free for Galway to open the second-half scoring.

Kilkenny 1-10 Galway 0-9

39 mins – A Kilkenny puckout is bombed downfield, TJ Reid fetches, offloads to Mikey Carey and it’s a straightforward shot to point.

Kilkenny 1-11 Galway 0-9

39 mins – Again the influence of TJ Reid shines through. He takes down a high delivery, controls and is fouled by Darren Morrissey as he cuts through. The free is knocked over.

Kilkenny 1-12 Galway 0-10

42 mins – Billy Ryan with a fine score from play after great work from Keoghan, Mannion clips over a free for a Galway side who are struggling.

Sub: Galway bring in Ronan Glennon for David Burke.

Kilkenny 1-13 Galway 0-11

45 mins – A third pointed free of the half for Galway courtesy of Mannion. Brilliant long-range shot from his own ’45. Kilkenny respond with an excellent effort from Cian Kenny.

37,503 is the attendance in Croke Park.

Kilkenny’s Mikey Carey and Jordan Molloy and Conor Whelan of Galway. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Kilkenny 1-14 Galway 0-11

47 mins – Six points in it now, Adrian Mullen on target. Kilkenny overturned Cianan Fahy in possession, countered and Mullen had drifted into space.

Kilkenny 1-14 Galway 0-12

50 mins – Strong run by Gavin Lee yields a free for Galway that Mannion converts. Five  in it, Galway desperately need something more sustained here, and the game could do with a fightback from Micheal Donoghue’s side.

Kilkenny 1-15 Galway 0-12

51 mins – Kilkenny are just comfortable replying every time and handing Galway off. Mikey Carey with their latest point.

Kilkenny 1-16 Galway 0-12

52 mins -  We’re entering the final quarter and Kilkenny are cruising. Cian Kenny stretches their advantage to seven.

Kilkenny 1-17 Galway 0-12

53 mins – Keoghan from play pushes out Kilkenny’s advantage further. Tiernan Killeen in for Galway for John Fleming.

Kilkenny 1-18 Galway 0-12

55 mins – Kilkenny so dominant at the back, Richie Reid firing from deep and Stephen Donnelly claims possesssion, swivels and points. Then Mannion knocks a free wide from  favourable angle. It’s one-way traffic at present.

Goal for Kilkenny from TJ Reid!

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 0-12

57 mins – That looks to be that. Kilkenny put together a neat move, creating the chance for Reid to drill home their second goal. Paddy Deegan follows it up with another point.

Sub: Luke Hogan and David Blanchfield both in for Kilkenny now, with Tommy Walsh and Stephen Donnelly off.

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 0-13

59 mins – Sean Linnane grabs a point from play for Galway.

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 0-14

60 mins – Mannion adds another from play for Galway.

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 0-16

62 mins – Two quickfire points for Galway from Tiernan Killeen, the substitute doing his bit.

Goal for Galway from Brian Concannon!

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 1-17

64 mins – Galway on the comeback hunt! Cathal Mannion is fouled for a free, takes it short to Concannon who rattles the net. Kevin Cooney adds another point.

Galway suddenly have come to life, five minutes to go.

Kilkenny 2-19 Galway 1-18

67 mins – TJ Brennan is fouled, Cathal Mannion slots over the free for Galway.

Kilkenny 2-20 Galway 1-18

67 mins – Vital point for Kilkenny from Adrian Mullen after a fantastic catch from TJ Reid.

Kilkenny 2-20 Galway 1-19

68  mins – What a point from Cathal Mannion for Galway, four in it again. His move to the full-forward line has changed the complexion of the game.

Kilkenny 2-21 Galway 1-20

70 mins – Billy Ryan point for Kilkenny but it’s all down to the exceptional catch and run from Huw Lawlor. Kevin Cooney responds for Galway.

Goal for Kilkenny from Mossy Keoghan!

Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 1-20

72 mins – That’ll settle it.  Keoghan flicks to the net after a mistake from Galway’s young goalkeeper Darragh Walsh. Mullen then clips over a point.

Full-Time: Kilkenny 3-22 Galway 1-20

All over in Croke Park and Kilkenny are Leinster senior champions for the 77th time. A deserved success, largely on top, with Galway’s last quarter fightback putting a bit of life into what had been a lacklustre game.

Thanks for joining our coverage, we’ll have plenty analysis and reaction from Declan Bogue who was at Croke Park today.