Break enabled Cody to do his homework

The first point to be made about this game is that the better team won.

Kilkenny had obviously done their homework in the three weeks since the drawn game and the rest in that time was hugely beneficial.

James Skehill and Joe Canning were both injured in the lead-up to the game and this was a psychological downer for Galway and a boost to opponents Kilkenny, who looked far sharper than in the drawn game. They looked hungry and eager, they tackled well and put intense pressure on their opponents all over the field.