Old Cat magic still takes centre stage in Croker

At times on St Patrick’s Day as the Fennelly brothers, TJ Reid, and Joey Holden breezed to All-Ireland club final success, it felt like going back in time to Kilkenny’s glory era.

Only five points separated the teams at half-time but Ballyhale Shamrocks, like Kilkenny at their best under Brian Cody, buried St Thomas’ with an avalanche of second-half scoring.