Nickie Quaid: A few of his puck-outs were turned over in the first half, but the protection he received in the second half was virtually bullet-proof. Made a smart save to deny Alan Murphy late on. 7.5
Michael Casey: Really spooked by Eoin Cody in the first half as the Kilkenny attacker grabbed a major. Limited his man to a half-chance in the second half. 7
Dan Morrissey: Had TJ Reid and Walter Walsh for company at different stages. Rode the first half storm and was assured in the second half. 7.5
Barry Nash: Over-carried in the first half which displayed the stress the Limerick full-back line was under. Defended well at other times and broke out with some ball. 7.5
Diarmaid Byrnes: Absolutely awesome display from last year’s Hurler of the Year. Picked up a booking and had trouble on Tom Phelan early on, but produced a flawless second half. His long-range frees killed Kilkenny stone-dead. Won everything down his flank and ruled the skies. 9
Willie O’Donoghue: Not easy to fill Declan Hannon’s shoes at centre-back, but what a job O’Donoghue did. Made a great start, pointed, picked up a first-half booking. Held Limerick’s centre so well in the second half and kept TJ Reid quiet. Led supremely well. 8.5
Kyle Hayes: Had to drop back into Limerick’s half-back line this season but was probably more influential there than in the half-forward line. Walter Walsh and Billy Ryan couldn’t hold his raids. Brilliant in the air, brilliant vision, all-round brilliant hurler. Must be in the shake up for Hurler of the Year. 9
- Kilkenny player ratings: Tom Phelan shines for Kilkenny in a losing cause
Darragh O’Donovan: Limerick’s understated midfielder has had arguably his best year for Limerick. Plays head-up hurling, fed telepathic diagonals into Flanagan and Gillane all year and rarely makes a mistake in the engine room. Had a super final. 8.5
STAR MAN: Cian Lynch: Wrists from God. Lynch plays the game in the future. A great in any era. The press box lost count of the number of his assists. No matter how much pressure he was under, he always found a way. Joy to watch and made up for missing last year's All-Ireland victory. 9
Gearoid Hegarty: Paddy Deegan pushed Hegarty to the fringes of this final for most of the first half, but the languid wing-forward was very influential when more space became available. Technically perfect. 8
David Reidy: Struck an important score towards the end of the first half and defended brilliantly in the second half. 7.5
Tom Morrissey: His first-half injury-time point had a settling effect on Limerick. Tough as nails. Won ball and never lost much against Conor Fogarty. 7.5
Aaron Gillane: Escaped his nemesis Huw Lawlor once in the first half. An intriguing duel where Lawlor can claim an individual victory. 7
Seamus Flanagan: Never got much change out of Tommy Walsh. Missed a bad wide at the start of the second half. 6
Peter Casey: The Na Piarsaigh man could have been hooked before he absolutely exploded in the second half with five sensational points from play. Mikey Butler or Tommy Walsh could do nothing about it. Cool as ice. 9
Subs:
Cathal O’Neill: A quality operator who earned his game-time in 2023. Two points from the bench. 7.5
Graeme Mulcahy: Could have got more game-time. 6
Conor Boylan: Entered to allow Hegarty’s victory march to the Limerick bench. 6
Barry Murphy: Not on long enough to be rated.
