Kilkenny 0-19
Galway 2-13

Joe Canning scored a last-gasp free to send a dramatic All-Ireland hurling final to a replay on September 30.

The Galway marksman showed incredible character to fire over a 73rd minute equaliser from the 45-metre line close to the Hogan Stand side of the field after he had missed an easier free moments earlier. It means that the Liam MacCarthy Cup decider - just like its minor equivalent - is going to a replay for the first time since 1959 when Kilkenny and Waterford could not be separated.

A draw was probably the fairest result after the proverbial game of two halves. With 81,932 spectators packed into Croke Park, 11/4 underdogs Galway threatened to repeat their sensational Leinster final victory when they twice led by seven points in the second quarter. There were five points, 1-9 to 0-7, between the sides at the break, but Kilkenny stormed back into the game after the restart to take the lead by the 54th minute through the inspirational Henry Shefflin, who finished with a personal tally of 0-12 (0-11 from placed balls).

The impressive Niall Burke then struck for Galway's second goal to edge them back in front, but Kilkenny refused to panic and looked set to prevail when Shefflin opted to tap over a 69th minute penalty which gave them a slender 0-19 to 2-12 lead.

But amid unbearable tension, Canning, Shefflin and Iarla Tannian all posted wides before Galway substitute Davy Glennon won a controversial free in the second of three injury-time minutes allotted by referee Barry Kelly, who had a very good game overall. The free, which was conceded by Jackie Tyrrell who earned a yellow card for his troubles, was awarded directly in front of rival managers Brian Cody and Anthony Cunningham who clearly had differing opinions on the decision and almost came to blows (thankfully, they shook hands after the final whistle).

All the pressure was on Canning, especially after his earlier miss, but he showed nerves of steel to arrow his shot over the bar to bring his tally for the afternoon to 1-9, and more importantly, earn Galway another bite at the cherry. The GAA won't be complaining either as they are now guaranteed another financial windfall in three weeks' time.

While both sides were guilty of some poor finishing (Galway almost paid the price for 13 wides), the game lived up to all the hype. Galway's younger legs and movement in the forward line caused all sorts of problems for the All-Ireland champions in the opening half, but in true Kilkenny fashion, they powered their way back into the game in the second half thanks to sterling performances from Shefflin - whose dream of winning a ninth Celtic Cross remains very much alive - Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan and TJ Reid.

Richie Hogan had an early wide for the Cats before Shefflin opened the scoring from a fourth-minute free he had won off Fergal Moore. Shefflin missed a chance to double the Cats' lead from a '65 that Niall Donoghue had conceded after he stepped over the end-line. Galway's opening score arrived in the eighth minute from Andy Smith after Joe Canning had done the spade work.

After a tentative opening, the game came to life in the ninth minute when James Regan released Joe Canning who went past three defenders before firing a powerful shot to the left of David Herity for his 16th ever championship goal. That score gave the Tribesmen a huge lift as Canning quickly tagged on a second point after seizing on a poor clearance by Brian Hogan.

Henry Shefflin should have had Kilkenny's second point from a 15th minute free (awarded for a foul on TJ Reid) straight in front of the posts, but his decision to go for goal didn't pay off as Fergal Moore turned the ball out for a '65, which the Ballyhale man also missed for the Cats' fifth wide. Two minutes later, Richie Hogan shortened the grip on his hurl before sending over the holders' first point from play, but Galway then enjoyed a great spell which saw them outscore their illustrious opponents by 0-5 to 0-1 between the 18th and 27th minutes.

Joe Canning started the scoring sequence from a free after Niall Burke had brilliantly out-fielded Brian Hogan. Canning was on target again from a free which he had won himself off JJ Delaney before another superb piece of fielding by Burke was followed by a clinical finish.

TJ Reid emulated Burke with a catch and point at the other end, but the momentum remained with the Tribesmen. Niall Burke was fouled by Tommy Walsh - who had spent most of the first half in the full back position marking Cyril Donnellan - and Canning did the needful before defender Niall Donoghue fired over his first ever championship point to push the underdogs into a 1-7 to 0-3 lead.

Eoin Larkin replied with a neat score for the Noresiders before Galway restored their seven-point lead from another Canning placed ball in the 31st minute after JJ Delaney was yellow-carded for a heavy challenge on Damien Hayes.

Kilkenny were in serious trouble at this juncture, but they got themselves back into the game with three quick-fire frees from Shefflin, who was starting to make his presence felt in the half forward line. The first free was awarded against David Collins for over-carrying. The second resulted from a foul on Brian Hogan and the third was given against Johnny Coen (who received a yellow card) for a wild pull on Colin Fennelly.

Galway, however, had the final say of the first half when Canning converted from an acute angle after David Herity had touched the ball on the ground as he attempted to clear his lines after saving Andy Smith's poorly-struck goal attempt.

Shefflin (free) and Niall Burke traded points on the restart before a rejuvenated Kilkenny turned the game on its head by scoring six points without reply. TJ Reid and Richie Power narrowed the gap with points from play before Shefflin was successful from a free. At the other end, there were signs of panic as Cyril Donnellan registered Galway's ninth wide.

Aidan Fogarty raised another white flag before Shefflin brought Kilkenny level in the 50th minute with his only point from play, which followed a great catch. Tommy Walsh and Kieran Joyce both received yellow cards before Shefflin gave the favourites the lead, 0-14 to 1-10, for the first time since the fourth minute from a free inside his own half.

Just when it seemed Galway were fading out of the game, they regained the lead when a high ball broken kindly to Niall Burke who rattled David Herity's net for a 55th minute goal. Back came Kilkenny with two more Shefflin frees, the second of which resulted from Galway 'keeper James Skehill lying on the ball after he had made a full-length diving save to deny Colin Fennelly a certain goal.

Eoin Larkin edged the Cats back in front with nine minutes to go, only for Canning to restore Galway's lead with two frees. Shefflin levelled it up again before Skehill tripped Larkin and Barry Kelly had no hesitation in awarding a penalty to the Cats.

Surprisingly, Shefflin opted to take the safer option by pointing high into the Davin Stand end. In hindsight, the decision proved a wrong one as Canning - at the second attempt - saved the day for the Tribesmen.

Kilkenny: David Herity; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, Kieran Joyce; Michael Fennelly, Richie Hogan (0-1); Henry Shefflin (0-12, 0-10 f, 0-1 pen), TJ Reid (0-2), Eoin Larkin (0-2); Colin Fennelly, Richie Power (0-1), Aidan Fogarty (0-1). Subs: Matthew Ruth for C Fennelly.

Galway: James Skehill; David Collins, Kevin Hynes, Fergal Moore; Niall Donoghue (0-1), Tony Og Regan, Johnny Coen; Andy Smith (0-1), Iarlaith Tannian; David Burke, Niall Burke (1-2), Cyril Donnellan; Damien Hayes, Joe Canning (1-9, 0-8f), James Regan. Subs: Conor Cooney for Regan, Johnny Glynn for C Cooney, Joseph Cooney for N Burke, Davy Glennon for Hayes.

Referee - Barry Kelly (Westmeath). Tweet

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