Eoin Murphy: Hegarty’s first half strike whistled past him into the top corner. Struggled to find a black and amber shirt from puck-outs in the first half but was much better in the second. 6.
Mikey Butler: Kept Graeme Mulcahy scoreless in the first half. Composed under pressure late in the second to relieve the pressure and play in Richie Hogan for a rousing score that levelled the game. 7
Huw Lawlor: Picked up Aaron Gillane and restricted him to two points from play which is a good return. Blocked Hegarty’s second half drive. 7.5
Tommy Walsh: Broke even with Seamus Flanagan. Turned by his replacement Conor Boylan but landed a fine score himself late in the game. 7
Mikey Carey: Brilliant fetch off a Limerick puck-out and fed Cody for a first half point. Scored another himself. Like the rest of the Kilkenny half-back line he had his work cut out against the pace and power of the Treaty half-forwards. 6.5
Richie Reid: A mixed bag for the Kilkenny skipper. Picked up Hegarty and then Hayes and struggled to keep a lid on both in the first half – lost Hegarty for the goal. Much more solid in the second. 6.5
Paddy Deegan: Started on Morrissey then switched onto Hegarty who was causing havoc. Got in his face and blunted his threat. Pushed forward at every opportunity in the second half after scoring two fine points in the first. 8
Cian Kenny: Worked hard to win ball for the Cats but called ashore at the interval. 6
Conor Browne: Matched up with Darragh O’Donovan and they cancelled each other out. Put himself about tackling and tracking runners. 6
TJ Reid: The Cats’ creative hub. He finished the first half with 0-7 (all frees) and ended up with nine. Disappointed to miss a first half chance when he had time to set himself. 8
Padraig Walsh: Two defiant first half points for the Tullaroan clubman who had Limerick skipper Declan Hannon for company. Made way for Donnelly early in the second half. 6.5
Billy Ryan: Started in a two-man inside forward line. Drifted out deeper as the first half wore on and forced a free for Reid on the stroke of half-time. Rifled shot into Limerick net to inspire Kilkenny’s comeback. 7
Adrian Mullen: A constant threat with his positional awareness and pace, three points from play was a good return for the Ballyhale Shamrocks forward. 7.5
Martin Keoghan: Had to work hard against Mike Casey and then David Reidy but worked tirelessly. Took his goal well and added a point. 7.5
Eoin Cody: Scored a first half point and then played brilliant reverse ball for Keoghan’s goal. Missed a couple of chances too. 6.5
Substitutes:
Walter Walsh: Replaced Kenny at the interval and had an immediate impact as a target for Eoin Murphy’s puck-outs. Did spadework for Ryan’s goal and landed a point himself. Mike Casey blunted his influence as half progressed. 7
John Donnelly: On for Padraig Walsh after 47 minutes. Worked like a demon around midfield as the Cats dragged themselves back into the final. 6.5
David Blanchfield: On for Browne after 53 minutes. Rose highest to win a Limerick puck-out and lashed it back the way it had come for a terrific score. 6.5
Richie Hogan: Replaced Cody with 11 minutes to go. Equalised with a trademark finish. 6
Alan Murphy: Didn’t get many minutes but did manage a fine point. 6
Top score
FOUR minutes were on the clock when Nickie Quaid lashed a free towards the Kilkenny posts at the Canal End. Seamus Flanagan came charging out and deftly kicked it into the path of the on-rushing Gearoid Hegarty who beat Richie Reid for pace and hammered an unstoppable drive into the far corner of the Kilkenny net.
Turning point
LIMERICK dominated the first half and although the dogged Cats hung in there, the game was slipping away until Walter Walsh was thrown into the fray at half-time. He made his presence felt almost immediately and gave Kilkenny the attacking outlet they desperately needed. Driving forward, he created the first goal and added a points as the Cats came agonisingly close to reclaiming the Liam MacCarthy Cup.
