Kilkenny 1-21 Dublin 0-11
It was all one way traffic in Nowlan Park on Wednesday night as the Kilkenny intermediates strolled to a comprehensive victory over Dublin taking complete control from the outset.
Michael Grace and Peter Cleere pointed inside the opening two minutes, before Grace provided Bill Beckett to score a well taken goal in the third minute, and even at such an early stage the writing was on the Dublin wall.
The Kilkenny forwards were troubling the Dublin defence with such consummate ease, and further points from Beckett, clubmate and team captain Eoin Guinan — who was in flying form — adding four points from play. A pointed ’65 from centre-back Paddy Hogan helped Kilkenny into a 1-10 to 0-5 lead.
The margin might have been closer at the interval but Liam Tierney pulled off an excellent penalty save on the stroke of half-time.
The second-half was all one way traffic as Kilkenny outscored their opponents 0-11 to 0-6, with Guinan, Beckett, and midfield pairing Pat Hartley and Niall Walsh adding extra-points. And result was inevitable.
Kilkenny manager Pat Hoban took the opportunity to ring the changes entering the last quarter, with Noel Doherty, Alan Healy, John Cotterell, James Cahill, and Philly Lonergan all introduced.
A second straight-forward victory for Kilkenny, who added to their nine-point victory down in Wexford with another clinical display, as they claimed their third consecutive provincial crown.
Despite the lack of competitive challenge en route to Leinster glory, Kilkenny will take plenty of beating as they attempt to regain the All-Ireland they won in 2008.
Featuring eight of the starting 15 that defeated Limerick in the All-Ireland final two years ago, Pat Hoban’s men and the matches played against Wexford and Dublin will stand to them as they face Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final scheduled for O’Connor Park, Tullamore, on August 14.
Kilkenny scorers: Eoin Guinan 0-8 (0-3 frees ), Bill Beckett 1-3, Michael Grace, Peter Cleere, and Paddy Hogan (0-1 ’65 ) 0-2 each, Pat Hartley, Niall Walsh, Alan Healy, and Noel Doherty 0-1 each
Kilkenny Team:
Liam Tierney (Rower-Inistioge ), Mark Phelan (Glenmore ), Paul Murphy (Danesfort ), Kieran Mooney (Conahy Shamrocks ), Ray Coady (Graiguenamanagh ), Paddy Hogan (Danesfort ), Niall Doherty (Galmoy ), Pat Hartley (Tullogher-Rosbercon ), Niall Walsh (Slieverue ), Bill Beckett (St Lachtains ), Richie Dollard (Tullogher-Rosbercon ), Nicky Cleere (Bennetsbridge ), Michael Grace (Rower-Inistioge ), Peter Cleere (Blacks and Whites ), Eoin Guinan (St Lachtains ) (captain ),
Subs:
Alan Healy (Conahy Shamrocks ), Noel Doherty (Galmoy ), John Cotterell (Tullogher-Rosbercon ), James Cahill (Graiguenamanagh ), Philiy Lonergan (Windgap ),
