Close to perfection

Galway 1-10 Kilkenny 4-20

But, in truth this was a masterclass in hurling from the All-Ireland champions, sending out a chilling message to the pretenders to their title.

Kilkenny won by a massive 19 points, a remarkable margin in the context of a mere three points advantage they enjoyed 10 minutes into the second half after Galway goaled.

Manager Brian Cody clearly demonstrated how psyched he was up for this major challenge following their Leinster semi-final upset when he vigorously challenged one particular decision midway through the first half. However, Kilkenny really turned on the style in the last quarter.

A goal from Henry Shefflin, who finished with 2-11, in the 54th minute snuffed out the brave Galway challenge and, in a truly wondrous display of hurling artistry, further goals from Eddie Brennan and substitute John Hoyne overwhelmed them.

It was, by any yardstick, an astounding performance from Kilkenny, arguably their best under Cody's management, and it answered questions about their hunger, their form and their intentions in as defiant a manner as anyone could have imagined.

The foundations were laid in the first half, with a powerful display against the wind. From the throw-in, they hurled with an intensity which made it very difficult for Galway to settle and their power play was complemented by terrific skill which continually enabled them to deny the westerner's possession.

Tommy Walsh, one of the stars of last year's All-Ireland victory at wing-forward but recognised as an accomplished defender earned a yellow card straight away following the throw-in, when he hauled down Damien Hayes.

But, his admirable response was to produce the best exhibition of corner-back play since Willie O'Connor's against Waterford in the 1998 semi-final. And, it also provided a wonderful example for his team-mates to which they responded in kind.

After a reasonably competitive opening 15 minutes, the game began to slip from Galway when Shefflin finished to the net after a long free from keeper James McGarry. That put them six points clear and, coming at such an early stage, put a Galway team which obviously suffered from a lack of competitive action under serious pressure.

A slight improvement at half-back and the accuracy of Eugene Cloonan from frees, helped them to limit the damage, but progress in attack was minimal. Cloonan made no headway against a highly- motivated Noel Hickey, Damien Hayes just couldn't get the better of Walsh and Kevin Broderick hardly saw the ball. With little support from the half-forward line, it spelt trouble for Galway.

At the other end, Kilkenny were always threatening, with Shefflin in top form at centre-forward, Eddie Brennan's pace troubling Ollie Canning until he began to settle and Martin Comerford working well on the right wing.

However, DJ Carey was rarely involved. Also very significant was the dominance of the Kilkenny midfielders. Not only were Ken Coogan and especially Derek Lyng successful in winning possession, they also provided valuable support for the half-back line.

In fact, this was a feature of Kilkenny's play all through how players went into the tackle in twos and threes and backed each other up constantly. It was yet another example of how powerfully motivated they were.

With a goal chance being lost after Shefflin and Brennan went for the same ball in injury time, Kilkenny went into their dressing-room in buoyant mood with a five points advantage, 1-9 to 0-7.

Galway were given a huge boost when Damien Hayes goaled in the 45th minute to leave the score 1-11 to 1-8, but it proved to be just a blip for Kilkenny.

They added an amazing 3-9 to their tally, while Galway were limited to points from a Cloonan free in the 48th minute and one from play from him in the second last minute. And, further illustration of the stranglehold on the game which Kilkenny won, Galway didn't have a single wide over the course of the half.

It was truly awesome to watch and you'd have to have sympathy for Galway. But, on the day, no team would have lived with the champions, who must now be favourites to make it three-in-a-row.

Diarmuid Kirwan didn't make that many mistakes and while he might have been indecisive at times, I thought his refereeing was up to standard.

Scorers: Kilkenny H. Shefflin 2-11 (1-9 frees); E. Brennan 1-3; J. Hoyne 1-0;

M. Comerford 0-2; D.J. Carey (free),

R. Mullally, D. Lyng and C. Phelan 0-1 each.

Galway: E. Cloonan 0-7 (0-5 frees, 0-1 '65); D. Hayes 1-2; K. Broderick 0-1.

KILKENNY: J. McGarry; J. Ryall, N. Hickey, T. Walsh; R. Mullally, P. Barry, J.J. Delaney; D. Lyng, K. Coogan; M. Comerford, H. Shefflin, C. Phelan; E. Brennan, D.J. Carey, J. Coogan. Subs: J. Hoyne for Comerford (injured 60th minute).

GALWAY: L. Donoghue; D. Joyce,

D. Cloonan, O. Canning (capt); D. Hardiman, D. Hayes, F. Moore; F. Healy, T. Og Regan; A. Kerins, D. Forde, D. Tierney; D. Hayes,

E. Cloonan, K. Broderick. Subs: A. Cullinane for Healy (25th minute); D. Collins for A. Kerins (second half); M. Kerins for Tierney (49th).

Referee: D. Kirwan (Cork).