Billy Drennan fires Kilkenny to final meeting with Wexford

A supreme scoring display from Billy Drennan and two penalty saves from Aidan Tallis earned Kilkenny an U20 Leinster final date with Wexford following a thrilling 1-28 to 1-27 extra-time win over Galway at Bord na Móna O'Connor Park.

Both sides showed great determination and recovery ability throughout, and just when it looked like it would be settled by penalties, Cats’ defender Joe Fitzpatrick came up with the golden touch.

A whirlwind start laid the foundations for a 0-11 to 0-08 interval lead for Galway.

Liam Collins was star of the show for the Tribe County as a series of fine points helped them into a 0-05 to 0-01 lead after 11 minutes with Kilkenny’s point coming via a Drennan free.

A Drennan '65 doubled the Cats’ tally but Collins, who would end up with six first-half scores, and Alex Conaire kept Galway out of reach with Drennan’s free-taking and scores from Fitzpatrick and Harry Shine keeping Kilkenny in the hunt.

It was a dramatic start to the second half as Collins saw two penalties in quick succession saved by Aidan Tallis.

The first was awarded straight from the throw in and looked harsh as Colm Molloy was adjudged to have been fouled, but Collins’ effort was weak and Tallis was able to keep it out.

There was no doubting about the second penalty though as Collins was brought down as he bore down on goal, and although this effort was well struck, Tallis leapt to his right to produce a wonderful save.

That inspired the Cats and they took the lead, 0-13 to 0-12, thanks to scores from Drennan, Timmy Clifford and Shine.

Diarmuid Hannify’s fine strike from out on the wing restored parity before Collins opened his second-half account to edge Galway back in front in the 43rd minute with Drennan quickly replying with a free