Cats tear Bannermen apart

Kilkenny 2-20 Clare 0-19

Kilkenny won their 27th All-Ireland title in style today as they out-hurled and out-classed Clare at Croke Park.

A fairytale start for the league champions in the form of a DJ Carey goal in the third minute saw Clare chasing a lead that the Cats did not relinquish.

Kilkenny's speed, skill, ability in the air and scoring power took their toll on the Banner whose forwards failed to deliver on the day.

On the other hand, Kilkenny's forwards lived up to their star billing as DJ Carey and Henry Shefflin scored a combined total of 2-13.

The full house at Croke Park were just easing into their seats when Shefflin beat Seanie McMahon and set off on a solo run. His high ball found DJ Carey who batted down into the net.

The Cats were 1-04 to 0-01 up after twelve minutes and they kept their susbstantial lead to the interval as Clare relied on the long-range free-taking of Seanie McMahon to keep them in the hunt.

Clare rang the changes early on as Ollie Baker replaced John Reddon and Jamesie O'Connor and Alan Markham switched wings.

The changes did not work however as Clare went to the dressing room six points in arrears.

But the Banner were not going down without a fight and they piled on the pressure in the second half.

Two frees apiece from McMahon and O'Connor brought Clare to within a score at 1-12 0-12.

But the superb Kilkenny defence of Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey and Philly Larkin refused to buckle under the Banner pressure.

The Cats' forwards also responded and Shefflin and Carey put three over to again put six between the sides coming up to the halfway mark.

A goal ten minutes later killed off the Clare challenge as Martin Comerford, who gave Brian Lohan a torrid time, sent a high ball into Shefflin who flicked past a full-stretched Davey Fitzgerald.

The sides swapped two points and Clare scoered two more but in the end Kilkenny cruised to a deserved league and championship double.