Kilkenny won all the key battles

Eddie O’Sullivan, the former Irish rugby coach and now US Eagles coach, was fond of the phrase ‘ducks in a row’. Kilkenny had their ducks in a row as they ‘loaded up’ before this final.

They were outsiders and had been waiting for this day for a full year; they had a clean bill of health, unlike last year; and they were fully focused on victory.

Tipperary were favourites and at times this is an emotional pressure that prevents a tip-top, fully determined, performance.