Only Kilkenny turn up in second-half

Kilkenny 1-25 Dublin 0-16: Before the obvious parallels are drawn between this latest Kilkenny championship victory and their previous, let’s consider the facts. Unlike Galway last September, Dublin weren’t ahead at half-time on Saturday. Unlike Galway in the All-Ireland final, Dublin were flying by the seat of their pants yet playing with a wind.

Where Dublin and Galway shared common ground was in getting in Kilkenny’s faces in the first half and reaping rewards. But just as it was nine months ago the only intensity remaining after the resumption was exhibited by the men in black and amber.

Watched by a 10,419 attendance, the opening 35 minutes was the best half of championship hurling this summer. Some needless frees were conceded and indeed the first seven scores of the game came from placed balls but the hurling was frenetic and the crowd approved wholeheartedly.