Intensity level of forwards the key for Kilkenny

A couple of crucial figures in the performance stats of Kilkenny and Galway can help explain why Brian Cody’s men were crowned All-Ireland senior hurling champions.

The most telling of all was Galway’s profligacy in front of goal - the Connacht men shot 12 wides to Kilkenny’s 5.

When translated into score conversion ratios Kilkenny took a whopping 74% of their scoring chances on the day or 23/31 chances as opposed to Galway’s 55% (19/34). That 74% ratio would be good enough to win the majority of matches and Galway’s inability to punish Kilkenny ultimately led to their downfall. We heaped praise on Galway for the intensity displayed in their semi-final win over Tipperary. On that occasion they made 82 tackles but Kilkenny were to better that on Sunday.