Kilkenny Manager Derek Lyng commends hard-working Cats in defeat

Limerick were crowned All-Ireland champions for the 12th time on Sunday, defeating Kilkenny with a spectacular 2nd half display by 0-30 to 2-15 to secure their fourth Liam MacCarthy title in a row, a feat only matched by Kilkenny and Cork.

Goals from Eoin Cody and Paddy Deegan were unable to get the Cats over the line, with an epic 35 minutes from the Treaty County, outscoring the Noresiders 0-21 to 1-6 in the second half, sealing yet another senior title for John Kiely's side.

Following the defeat, Kilkenny Manager Derek Lyng said:

"We needed to be more clinical today, we needed to take a few more chances but I can't fault our lads effort."

"They're a fantastic team, they have quality everywhere."

The Treaty County trailed 1-9 to 0-9 at half-time but a dominant second half display saw them prevail comfortably at the final-whistle.

"I thought at times (we should) just pop the ball over but again, I can't fault the players, I said to them all year go for it and that's what they tried to do."

Lyng was pleased with his side's opening 35 minutes but acknowledged Limerick's 'quality' was too much to handle.

"You could visually see some of our players tiring and we tried to rejig things around. I think 9 points is hard on us but look, just not good enough."