Kilkenny crush Offaly

Henry Shefflin bursts through the Offaly defence

Guinness All-Ireland Hurling Final
Kilkenny 5-15 Offaly 1-14

DJ Carey inspired Kilkenny to a comprehensive win over Offaly in the All-Ireland Hurling Final at Croke Park.

In the run-up to the decider, Carey's big match temperament had been questioned - particularly after his poor display in the 1999 decider against Cork.

But Carey needed only six minutes to make his mark on this decider when he pounced on a mistake from Offaly corner-back Niall Claffey to ram home Kilkenny's opening goal.

Right from that moment, with Carey immediately the game's central character, it was obvious Kilkenny's were not going to become the first county to lose three successive All-Ireland hurling finals.

Brilliant form

Carey was part of a full-forward trio which notched a remarkable 4-9 with Henry Shefflin hitting 2-2 and Charlie Carter adding 1-3.

With Carey in brilliant form, Kilkenny made a lightning fast start.

His sixth minute goal was followed three minutes later by a Henry Shefflin three pointer which put Kilkenny 2-2 to 0-1 ahead.

Shefflin's effort was helped home by Carey but the umpire ruled that the ball had already crossed the line.

Half-back stars

Offaly's Michael Duignan chases Kilkenny's Andy Comerford

Kilkenny's full-forward line had the measure of their men and when Offaly did get the ball into the Cats' half, invariably half-back stars Philip Larkin and Eamonn Kennedy were returning the sliothar with interest.

Five of Offaly's seven first half points came from Johnny Dooley frees with their only real goal chance a ground stroke from Michael Duignan which went narrowly wide in the 18th minute.

In contrast, Kilkenny created several opportunities to add to their two early goals and it was little surprise when Charlie Carter added the Cats' third four minutes before half-time.

The strike helped Kilkenny to a 10 point interval lead (3-10 and 0-9) and the match was effectively over.

Early goals

Offaly needed early goals in the second half but instead it was Kilkenny who rattled the net once in the 49th minute after somewhat of a lull in the proceedings.

DJ Carey delivered when it mattered

Shefflin was the man on hand to hit the fourth goal after latching onto a brilliant long ball from substitute Canice Brennan and kicking the ball past Stephen Byrne from close range.

Johnny Pilkington did manage to register an Offaly goal 11 minutes from time but it was little more than a consolation for the 1998 Champions.

Too many of the Offaly bid name players such as Brian Whelehan and young talent Brendan Murphy had not performed when it mattered.

Magnificent contributors

In contrast, Kilkenny had magnificent contributors in Carey, Carter, Shefflin, Andy Comerford as well as the entire half-back trio and there was scarcely a Cats' player who had an off-day.

Kilkenny: J McGarry, M Kavanagh, N Hickey, W O'Connor, P Larkin, E Kennedy, P Barry, A Comerford (0-1), B McEvoy, D Byrne (0-4), J Power, J Hoyne (0-1), C Carter (1-3), DJ Carey (1-4), H Shefflin (2-2). Subs: C Brennan (1-0), E Brennan

Offaly: S Byrne, S Whelehan, K Kinahan, N Claffey, B Whelahan (0-1), J Errity, K Martin, Johnny Dooley (0-8), G Oakley, J Pilkington (1-1), G Hanniffy (0-1), B Murphy (0-1), M Duignan, J Ryan, Joe Dooley (0-1). Subs P Mulhare (0-1), J Troy, .

Referee Willie Barrett (Wexford)