Kilkenny brutally crushed Dublin’s morale right from the start, achieving an outstanding fifth Leinster senior hurling championship in a row. Dominating the field and swiftly draining the enthusiasm of Dublin supporters gathered within the 35,484 at Croke Park, Kilkenny emerged victorious in an encounter that was barely ever a challenge, thereby achieving a record 76th Bob O’Keeffe victory.
The defeat suffered by the Dubs was tremendous in the major stadium. The victory could be compared to a landslide win in electoral politics for the black and amber heroes.
With a 15-point lead by the break, the only uncertainty for Derek Lyng’s team was the final lead. The difference was 16 points at the end, although Kilkenny was ahead by 19 points midway through the second half. However, a late goal by Dublin somewhat mitigated the wide gap, albeit only slightly.
Every single player among Kilkenny’s opening six forwards scored within the game’s initial ten minutes, and it took another 11 minutes for Dublin’s attackers to score from a game. Against a disorganised Dublin, Kilkenny managed to record 2-18 by the half-time whilst Dublin was only able to achieve 0-9, their game characterised by handling mistakes, poor passes and a lack of drive.
Dublin even managed to present TJ Reid with two of the easiest goals of his distinguished career during the match.
Adrian Mullen, in his first game after injury, earned the title of man of the match with his impressive performance for Kilkenny, scoring seven points from the game.
Eoin Cody, who scored the decisive late goal the last time these teams encountered each other at Parnell Park, commenced the Leinster final with similar zeal, bypassing Conor Donohoe to score the initial goal of the game within just three minutes.
Reid opened his account with a goal in the 24th minute, capitalising on a mistake by Dublin’s goalie Seán Brennan who failed to secure a falling ball, resulting in a score of 2-10 to 0-5. A further goal from Reid was notched just before the 60-minute mark, following an error during a Dublin puckout, leading to Mullen feeding the ball to his uncovered mate, pushing the score to 3-24 to 0-14. Despite a goal from Dublin substitute Mark Grogan in the 68th minute, the contest had already been stripped of any competitive spirit. Reid rounded off the scoring with a distant point in overtime, amassing a personal score of 2-6 and bringing his total just one short of 700 in championship hurling with a collective tally of 34-597 (699). The semi-finals of the All-Ireland awaits The Cats, leaving the Dublin team to recover from their All-Ireland quarter-finals loss.
The line-up for Kilkenny included Eoin Murphy, Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield (0-1), Richie Reid, Mikey Carey; Cian Kenny (0-4), Paddy Deegan; Adrian Mullen (0-7), John Donnelly (0-3), TJ Reid (2-6, three frees); Martin Keoghan (0-3), Eoin Cody (1-1), Billy Ryan (0-1). The substitutes were Shane Murphy for Carey (30 mins); Tom Phelan (0-1) for Ryan (46 mins); Jordan Molloy for Lawlor (64 mins); Walter Walsh (0-1) for Mullen (64 mins); Conor Fogarty for Kenny (64 mins).
Representing Dublin were Seán Brennan; Eoghan O’Donnell, Paddy Smyth (0-1), John Bellew (0-1); Chris Crummey (0-1), Conor Donohoe, Paddy Doyle; Brian Hayes, Conor Burke (0-3); Danny Sutcliffe (0-1), Donal Burke (0-8, seven frees), Fergal Whiteley; Seán Currie, Dara Purcell (0-2).
Substitutes included Daire Gray who stepped in for Doyle during half-time, while Darragh Power, who scored 0-1, replaced S Currie. Mark Grogan, with a score of 1-0, took over from Whiteley. Colin Currie was swapped for R Hayes at 53 minutes and James Madden was brought on for B Hayes at 62 minutes. The match was overseen by referee, Thomas Walsh from Waterford.