Hurling: Kilkenny snatch dramatic Leinster Final win as Limerick seal Munster five-in-a-row

Cillian Buckley fired in Kilkenny's sensational last-puck winning goal at Croke Park

Cillian Buckley's last-puck goal earned Kilkenny a dramatic 4-21 to 2-26 Leinster Final win over Galway as Limerick secured a fifth straight Munster title by edging out Clare.

Limerick's 1-23 to 1-22 success meant their first Munster five in a row.

But while there was a controversial finish in Limerick that was overshadowed by events at Croke Park.

Galway seemed to have secured victory but after they failed to clear, Buckley lashed in a sensational winning goal.

Kilkenny's victory was their fourth successive Leinster title as they increased their remarkable record of Bob O'Keefe Cup triumphs to 75.

The Cats had looked in control as they led by eight points after 50 minutes before a Galway side managed by Kilkenny great Henry Shefflin produced a comeback sparked by substitute Jordan Flynn's goal.

Kilkenny secured their 75th Leinster title and their fourth successive Bob O'Keefe Cup

Points in injury-time from Kevin Cooney, Evan Niland and Brian Concannon seemed to have secured victory for Galway with time seemingly up.

But from their own left defensive flank, the Tribesmen wasted several opportunities to clear and when Padraic Mannion, having lost his hurley, attempted to kick the sliotar, it was grasped by Buckley who beat a challenge before firing low past Eanna Murphy from 21 metres.

Galway 0-6 to 0-1 early before a Martin Keoghan goal helped the Cats level.

Keoghan soon had to depart because of injury and his replacement Walter Walsh then netted only for Galway to draw level at 1-12 to 2-9 by half-time, with man of the match Conor Whelan hammering in their goal.

The Cats regrouped to dominate the third quarter as defender Mikey Butler's goal - after a brilliant David Branchfield pass - helped extended their lead to 3-17 to 1-15.

But back came Galway as Flynn's 51st-minute goal appeared to have turned the contest in their favour only for Buckley to break the Tribesmen's hearts as his goal denied them a first Leinster title since 2018.

Kilkenny's win earns their direct passage through to a 9 July All-Ireland semi-final while Galway face the task of regrouping for their quarter-final meeting against either Tipperary or Offaly on 24 June.

Aaron Gillane's 1-11 helped Limerick secure a five in a row in Munster for the first time

Earlier, Clare were left furious at the Gaelic Grounds as referee Liam Gordon denied them a last-ditch free after challenges on Tony Kelly and Adam Hogan.

A Mark Rodgers goal had helped Clare lead the All-Ireland champions 1-11 to 0-11 at half-time.

However Aaron Gillane finished with 1-11 for Limerick as Clare's hopes of a first title since 1998 were dashed.

Limerick were a point up in injury-time when a premature pitch invasion by some of their supporters, thinking that full-time had been blown, led to play being held up.

Further drama then followed as the referee ruled a big hit by Limerick substitute Peter Casey on Tony Kelly to be legitimate, with the Bannermen also unhappy with a further challenge on Hogan before the full-time whistle sounded.

Limerick's five in a row matches the feat achieved by Cork on three previous occasions while Clare have lost six Munster finals since their last provincial triumph 25 years ago.

Gillane was the Limerick hero as he tormented stand-in full-back Cian Nolan, who was pressed into service after regular starter Conor Cleary was ruled out by a shoulder injury.

The man of the match's 44th-minute goal gave the Shannonsiders the lead for the first time since early in the contest and they extended their advantage to 1-19 to 1-14 before Clare reduced the margin to the minimum in the closing stages.

Clare's chances were also not helped by their 13 wides and six shots that dropped short as Limerick held on in front of over 43,000 fans at their home venue.

Limerick earns them a month's rest before their All-Ireland semi-final while Clare will take on Dublin or Carlow in the quarter-finals in two weeks.