Plenty backbone ensures Cats remain one of the longest running shows

The light may be getting dimmer on this Kilkenny team but they are raging wildly against it.

Cast as dead men walking, they did a remarkable impression of a side who couldn’t be further from the skids.

They did need assistance, though. More than a qualifier and more than a feeling those of a black and amber persuasion in the 23,307 crowd played their part in this victory.