Old warriors put on masterclass

A HURLING masterclass in Croke Park yesterday, mighty Kilkenny retaining their Leinster title (and setting a new record in the process, seven in a row) against a Dublin side whose challenge never even got to first base.

“They came out hard,” said despondent Dublin manager Anthony Daly; “We were expecting it — maybe we were expecting it too much, and it comes to you then.”

And maybe that was Dublin’s problem, over-anticipation of the backlash that was certain to come from the Allianz Hurling League final of a few months ago. Dublin walloped Kilkenny that afternoon, 12 points the final margin, but it was a weakened Kilkenny, and with the likes of Henry Shefflin, Eoin Larkin, Michael Fennelly and Tommy Walsh all back in the fold, this was always going to be a very different challenge.