Cats wallop Waterford in decider

Kilkenny's Eddie Brennan celebrates his opening Cats goal

Kilkenny produced an immense display to wallop Waterford 3-30 to 1-13 in the All-Ireland Hurling Final and complete a hat-trick of title triumphs.

The Cats blitzed Waterford in the opening half as a 0-9 to 0-3 lead then became 2-10 to 0-4 after two goals in a minute from Eddie Brennan.

Kilkenny led 2-16 to 0-5 at half-time and the superb Eoin Larkin thumped in their third goal on 48 minutes.

Eoin Kelly hit Waterford's goal after an error by sub goalie James McGarry.

But it didn't take the gloss off an imperious exhibition of hurling by this Kilkenny side, who must now be contenders to be regarded as the greatest ever team in the sport.

Waterford, chasing the county's first All-Ireland senior title in 49 years and playing in their first decider since 1963, went into the game with high hopes but the occasion turned into a nightmare for the Deise outfit.

Henry Shefflin hit the opening score in the first minute and while Eoin Kelly levelled two minutes later, it was the last time Waterford were on terms.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Kilkenny's victory

A 0-3 to 0-2 lead then became 0-9 to 0-3 as Henry Shefflin, Aidan Fogarty, Eoin Larkin, brilliant Brennan and Derek Lyng knocked over a succession of points.

The game was ended as a contest when Brennan thumped in two goals in a minute with the lively Larkin setting up the first three-pointer on a plate and the second slammed home after Aidan Fogarty's shot had been parried by Clinton Hennessy.

A rare Waterford attack should have yielded a goal in reply but Eoin McGrath struck wide from close range after Kelly's 30-metre free had been blocked by goalkeeper PJ Ryan.

The 2-10 to 0-4 lead became 2-16 to 0-5 at the break after a half in which Kilkenny had hit only one wide.

The second half could only be about damage limitation for Waterford but predictably the clinical Cats produced more of the same after the break.

Eoin Larkin thumped in Kilkenny's third goal in the 48th minute as once again the Waterford defence was ripped apart.

By the 55th minute, Kilkenny's lead was 3-21 to 0-9 with Eoin Kelly having scored seven of Waterford's points by that stage.

Brian Cody consoles Davy Fitzgerald after Sunday's decider

Incredibly, Kilkenny's wides total remained one by that stage as the day of perfection continued.

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody was able to throw on a number of subs in the closing stages and TJ Reid helped himself to a couple of great scores after being introduced.

Sub goalie McGarry, who endured personal heartbreak last year after the death of his wife in a car accident, received an emotional welcome as he was introduced for PJ Ryan with 10 minutes left.

With the job done, Kilkenny inevitably eased off somewhat in the closing stages as Waterford picked off some late scores.

Eoin Kelly's goal came with a minute of normal time left after McGarry had allowed the full-forward's speculative shot to beat him.

But the goal was little consolation for a devastated Waterford side.

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Kilkenny: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Tyrrell; T Walsh, B Hogan, JJ Delaney; J Fitzpatrick (capt) (0-2), D Lyng (0-3); M Comerford, R Power (0-2), E Larkin (1-4); E Brennan (2-4), H Shefflin (0-8), A Fogarty (0-3). Subs: TJ Reid (0-4) for Comerford (43 mins), J McGarry for Ryan (61).

Waterford: C Hennessy; E Murphy, K McGrath, D Prendergast; A Kearney, T Browne, K Moran; M Walsh (capt), J Nagle; D Shanahan, S Prendergast, S Molumphy; E McGrath , E Kelly (1-9), J Mullane (0-3). Subs: J Kennedy for S Prendergast and S O'Sullivan for Nagle half-time), P Flynn for E McGrath (52), T Feeney for D Prendergast, D Bennett (0-1) for Shanahan (both 64).

Referee: Barry Kelly (Westmeath).