Player ratings: Hayes and Hegarty worth their weight in gold
TOP OF THE TREE: Limerick's Aaron Gillane and Kyle Hayes celebrate
His usual steady self in that first half and hit some terrific puck outs, finding his men in the middle of the field. Beaten twice in the second half but could do nothing with either shot. Spilled one late ball.
Calm and collected as ever, always available for a restart. Robbed at one stage in the corner, uncharacteristically, but came to the fore in that hectic finish.
Fielded a terrific high ball and survived a hefty challenge just afterwards. Had to withstand a late siege but his physical strength anchored the Limerick defence in the closing stages.
The most prominent of the full-back line, delivered a lot of long ball in the first half. Won’t be happy with conceding two goals and didn’t get upfield as much as in previous games.
Started off the scoring and reliable from frees, this writer’s Hurler of the Year contributed as a defender and as an attacking option, in particular shutting down the Kilkenny puck outs.
Hannon has patented the patient sweeping role, sitting in front of his defence and relaying the ball to the men coming deep to collect it. Marshalled the defence well and contributed his trademark point, sallying upfield.
Chipped in with a point when needed in the first half as he surged well out of defence. Physical power allied to calm distribution - a powerhouse display.
The workaholic’s workaholic, O’Donoghue was his usual self, winning ball and relaying ball, linking the play, putting in the hits. A terrific display.
Less prominent than his midfield partner and withdrawn in the second half. Never went missing and put his body on the line.
Magnificent. Scored the first and best of the goals and hit points that would bear comparison with any scored in any final. Also displayed great vision in bringing others into the play and got through huge work.
Rampant all through. Kilkenny never got to grips with him and his strength and power caused huge problems all through the game. Chipped in with scores himself to copper fasten a great display.
Not his usual self in the first half, but was terrific in the second when needed - came into the game at the right time to steady the ship, and it was a suppose to see him go off.
Has had quieter games from play, though a goal chance beckoned in the first half and he had to improvise a kicked point. Unerring from frees, though, and in a tight game that was a huge benefit to his side.
The full-forward improved as the first half wore on, with those trademark diagonal runs to the corner. Was able to win possession but didn’t always make optimum use of same.
Willing worked all through, he covered huge amounts of ground as he made space for Flanagan and Gillane behind him. Substituted in the second half with Peter Casey coming in for him.
Hit a crucial point when he came on
Won some good ball when introduced and almost had a point
Introduced valuable speed to the team on his introduction and hit a point
Came in and got involved quickly, was unlucky for a point
Couldn’t be faulted for the goal such was the quality of Gearóid Hegarty’s strike. There was a bit of edginess about Kilkenny’s short restarts in the first half but not a lot of that was his fault. Remains favourite for the All-Star.
Seemed to touch more ball in this final than in the last two games as Kilkenny looked to go quick and short with puck-outs. Some harem scarem moments in the second half but had the better of Graeme Mulcahy in their tussle.
Had some good moments against Aaron Gillane in the opening half but he was outstanding not just in being physical but fair in his duel with Limerick’s spearhead in the second half, solidifying the belief he was on his way to an All-Star.
Didn’t fare too badly in his battle with Seamus Flanagan who became largely anonymous in the second half as the ball rained down between Lawlor and Gillane. Also scored the last point of the game.
Caught a great ball in the first half, taking a point too and made a vital hook on Graeme Mulcahy in the 41st minute but was caught out of position on a couple of occasions in the second half.
Kyle Hayes was always going to be a difficult marker and so it transpired but it was Gearóid Hegarty who barged Reid out of the way for a clear strike for his goal. Wasn’t able to dictate the supply into the attack as he has been doing.
Scored a couple of first half points yet found to his cost that Hegarty rarely follows up a disappointing performance with another. Was only switched away from him in the closing stages.
A taxing day in the middle of the field as Darragh O’Donovan discovered too and a combination of the hits he was giving and taking combined with the stifling conditions contributed to him being replaced in the 53rd minute.
Picked up a nasty injury in winning a free converted by TJ Reid and had to be replaced by Conor Fogarty for almost eight minutes. Wasn’t as effective when he returned to play and was permanently benched at half-time.
Showed flashes in the first half of what he has been producing throughout the championship but was more impactful on the turnaround, picking off 40th and 60th minute points. Still in All-Star reckoning.
Was the most effective Kilkenny forward outside of TJ Reid in the first half and picked off a couple of points. Didn’t have anywhere near the same effect after half-time and was taken off early.
Cleverly moved on the ball for Martin Keoghan’s goal but had a couple of costly wides early in the second half. One point isn’t enough for a forward of his quality.
Another terrific performance by a man who will likely be shortlisted for hurler of the year. No score from play but that didn’t tell a thing about what he contributed in terms of assists and general play. A phenom.
Kilkenny’s top scorer from play and yet his two scores were nearly 40 minutes apart. A good finish for his goal and was enough of a distraction when letting the ball on from Walter Walsh for Billy Ryan’s green flag.
There was nothing about him playing on the fringes of the play and while his finish for the 38th minute goal showed his poaching instincts he wasn’t enough of a nuisance to the Limerick inside backs.
Made a fantastic start to the second half, setting up a goal and taking a point but faded towards the conclusion.
Scored almost immediately after coming off the bench.
His introduction allowed Kilkenny to rejig their pressurised half-back line and he pointed a late score.
Scored a fine point to level the game but couldn’t get into it afterwards.
Not on long enough to be rated.
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