Strength-in-depth of panel allowed Cats to bump and grind

"Listen up lads, there are five changes to the Kilkenny team," announced the steward to a crowded press box 20 minutes before throw-in.

Corrective surgery was expected, though certainly not to this extent.

Anthony Cunningham had forced Brian Cody into a raft of changes for the replay decider back in 2012, this, however, was breaking new ground. Five changes in personnel and eight positional switches.