Kilkenny batter Tipperary

Kilkenny 5-17 Tipperary 1-12

Just when you thought that Kilkenny might struggle to repeat the feats of last season, they pull out a performance like this?

Quite simply, they remain the hurling kingpins and on this form it will take something special to dethrone them come Championship time.

This Nowlan Park encounter was billed as the meeting of hurling's current big two - the reigning All-Ireland champions against the defending National League champions - but unfortunately for the Tipperary contingent in the 9,000-strong crowd, it was very much men against boys in the first half.

The Cats, with former Hurler of the Year Henry Shefflin back in the starting line-up, roared into an early 2-5 lead. Martin Comerford and Aidan Fogarty both registered early goals for Brian Cody's men.

Richie Power had a neat brace of points and Eddie Brennan also found his range, while Conor O'Mahony collected a much-needed point for Tipperary amidst five wides from the Premier county's attack.

Seamus Callinan and James Woodlock tagged on further Tipp scores but Kilkenny, with some brilliant touches and their drive to win the 50-50 balls, were soon out of sight.

TJ Reid slammed home a 29th-minute goal, added two quick points and then set up Comerford for his second goal.

As the points flew over from angles, Comerford completed his hat-trick of goals just before half-time to leave Tipp trailing at the break by an incredible 5-9 to 0-4.

Cody's charges moved further ahead on the resumption when Richie Hogan and Michael Fennelly pointed.

Tipp manager Liam Sheedy reacted at half-time by introducing Shane Maher, Gearoid Ryan and Micheal Webster into the fray.

Webster did muster a late goal and Callinan, Seamus Hennessy (0-2) and John O'Brien all pointed during a rare purple patch for the visitors, but the result was really beyond doubt by half-time.

For a Tipp side that began their league title defence with wins over Waterford, Cork and Clare, this was an earth-shattering defeat.

Interestingly, Kilkenny bucked a trend by beating Tipp on home turf. Ihe counties' nine league meetings between 2000 and today, the home team had only won on one occasion back in 2005.

Kilkenny emptied their bench during the second half, even replacing their goalkeeper PJ Ryan.

Their third win in four league games has sent them to the summit in Division 1, just ahead of an improving Dublin outfit.