First half response crucial for Cody

The manner of Galway clawing back to finish level in the drawn All-Ireland SHC final and David Burke blasting home two early goals in yesterday's replay would have floored many hurling teams. But not Kilkenny.

The Cats were stung into action by Burke's brace after 16 and 18 minutes, with Richie Power immediately tapping home their first goal to square it up at 1-5 to 2-2.

From then on, the defending champions really took control as captain Eoin Larkin kickstarted a points-scoring blitz which took his side into a 1-11 to 2-4 half-time lead.

Speaking afterwards, Kilkenny manager Brian Cody said: "Galway had beaten us comprehensively in the Leinster final and in the drawn match they had really put it up to us especially in the first half.

"Today, we started lively and we started well. We were certainly going well and then we were hit by two goals again and it was as if, 'what's going to happen after this?'

"But the response was instant and very strong and that was the key to it today. The performance of the team was absolutely outstanding."

He added: "There was no unsettlement whatsoever. We just replied straight away (to the goals), get it over the bar, get back into it, carry on, keep hurling.

"It's a long time until the 73rd or 74th minute. A huge amount of things can turn in a few minutes in hurling."

The Tribesmen did put it up to Kilkenny in the early stages of the second half, but in a dramatic five-minute spell they suffered two missed goal chances and a sending-off.

Cyril Donnellan had the ball in the Kilkenny net but referee James McGrath had already blown for an earlier free. Joe Canning also watched an effort come back off the post before Donnellan saw red for a wild swing at JJ Delaney.

Two more Kilkenny goals from debutant Walter Walsh and substitute Colin Fennelly put them out of sight, although the Leinster champions responded with the goal of the game - a rising shot to the far left corner from young substitute Johnny Glynn.

Savouring his ninth All-Ireland senior success as Kilkenny boss, Cody was fulsome in his praise of the players - particularly Henry Shefflin and Noel Hickey, who were both collecting their ninth Celtic Cross medals.

"Henry set the tone from around 1999, I think, to be honest about it, from the point of view of playing senior with Kilkenny," recalled Cody.

"He hasn't just played for Kilkenny, he has done everything for Kilkenny, he's led for Kilkenny, he's scrapped for Kilkenny.

"That's the difference in Henry Shefflin and players who just go out to get on the scoreboard and be the top scorer or whatever it was.

"Regardless, his work-rate is immense. Everybody raved about him the last day and rightly so, he just came out and led from the front when we were under severe pressure.

"Today again, there he was again, working, working, working. His achievement is unique because nobody has ever done it before (winning nine medals on the field of play) and that tells its own story.

"It was terrific to see Noel come on (as a sub) to finish the game because what Noel Hickey means to our dressing room you couldn't quantify, to Kilkenny, to hurlers and everyone involved in our panel."

Kilkenny fans were also treated to a glimpse of the future at Croke Park yesterday as Walter Walsh crowned his Championship debut by scoring 1-3 from play.

Acknowledging the contribution of the 21-year-old forward, Cody remarked: "Walter hurled himself onto the team and you could be afraid to do that and say, 'oh my God, sure you couldn't do that'.

"Or you could go on and do what you believe is the right thing to do. I think he proved his worth and certainly had a terrific game."

Walsh will get more chances to impress during the 2013 season and an evergreen Shefflin could well be lining up alongside him if, as Cody expects, he decides to continue playing senior inter-county hurling past his 34th birthday in January.

"I would be amazed if you don't see Henry playing next year. The thing a lot of people forget when they talk about hunger, about this fella doing this or that, to me it's very simple - Henry is just in love with the game.

"He just loves playing hurling, as does Eoin Larkin and all the rest of the lads," added Cody.