Galway's hopes of finishing their All-Ireland minor hurling championship campaign fell at the final hurdle on Sunday (4th June) as they went down by five points to Clare in FBD Semple Stadium.
Despite two Cullen Killeen goals and green flags for Jason Rabbitte and Harry Holmes, the Tribesmen struggled to get on top of a strong Banner unit, who pulled clear midway during the second half to clinch a first title since 1997.
Galway Bay FM's Gordon Duane reports
Afterwards, Galway manager Fergal Healy shared his thoughts with Galway Bay FM's Niall Canavan.
Galway: Shane Murray; Thomas Blake, Seán Murphy, Gearóid King; Dylan Quirke, Donnacha Campbell, Ed O’Reilly; Michael Burke, Cullen Killeen (2-0); Darragh Counihan, Colm Burke, Conor Gilligan; Brian Callanan, Jason Rabbitte (1-1), Aaron Niland (0-8, six frees).
Subs: Michael Fallon (0-1) for Campbell (HT), Stephen Keane for O’Reilly (40), Harry Holmes (1-0) for C Burke (40), Eoghan Mulleady for Callanan (58).
Clare: Mark Sheedy; Eoghan Gunning, Ronan Keane, Conor Rynne; Matthew O’Halloran, James Hegarty (1-2, all frees), Jamie Moylan; Jack Mescal (0-1), Evan Price (0-1); Ronan Kilroy, Michael Collins (0-3), Seán Arthur (0-2); Ógie Fanning (1-1), Marc O’Brien (0-7, five frees), Eoin Begley (0-1).
Subs: Fred Hegarty (0-1) for Keane (HT inj), Michael Power (0-1) for Begley (39), Eoin Carey (0-1) for Gunning (48-50, blood), Harry Doherty (0-1) for Fanning (51), Carey for Mescal (53), Emmet Mulcahy for Kilroy (60+3).
Referee: Michael Kennedy (Tipperary).
