Wonderful Walsh helps the Cats clinch record 21st title

Kilkenny’s last minor All-Ireland triumph came in 2014, when a John Walsh-inspired side beat Limerick in the decider.

The following is the People’s report from that day:

Kilkenny were the toast of Croke Park when they roared to a thrilling victory in the All-Ireland minor hurling final.

Opponents Limerick were the red-hot favourites, but highly-charged Kilkenny tore into the challenge and closed out the opposition with a fiercely intensive approach.

The road to All-Ireland glory was a difficult one. A poor opening in the championship and defeat to Dublin left many doubters but, step by step, the squad improved and it all ended with a magnificent display in the final, where the Cats took charge of the Irish Press Cup for the 21st time.

Named at left corner-forward, John Walsh was not an automatic starter for the Cats this season. He captured the mood of the squad and let rip, shooting a personal tally of 2-5 to leave his name all over this final.

The Mullinavat man did his bit to get the team to the final when he nabbed a goal in extra-time against Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final. On the biggest stage of all he showed a golden touch; virtually every time he got possession he produced a score.

His first touch was taken with such calmness and composure that you would be forgiven for thinking the Southern man had ice pumping through his veins. He booted the ball to the net in the 40th minute to drive his team into a 1-14 to 0-13 lead.

A solid, well thought out game plan prevented Limerick from implementing their running game which had blown opponents out of the water all season.

Luke Scanlon was tireless in midfield while, behind him, Jason Cleere (centre-back) and Conor Delaney (full-back) were dominant throughout.

Limerick started the game in a conservative manner, playing Tom Morrissey in a one man full-forward line. Further out they flooded the middle third with players.

Kilkenny also dropped men deep, but they enjoyed a good start. Walsh was the one who popped over the opening score, lofting the ball over the bar. Luke Scanlon grabbed a point following a layoff from Sean Morrissey before Alan Murphy opened his account by shooting a monster of a free from 100 metres.

John Walsh’s second score was sandwiched between points from Cian and Ronan Lynch. After 10 minutes Kilkenny led by 0-4 to 0-3.

The winners’ defence was soaking up the pressure. Tommy Walsh and Conor Delaney revelled in the occasion. Ronan Corcoran added to his championship tally with a score, pushing the Kilkenny lead out to three after quarter of an hour.

The Shannonsiders gradually fought their way back in contention, shooting over three points without reply. After 20 minutes the scores were level.

As the teams grappled to gain the upper hand the pivotal moment of the half came when Limerick’s Tom Morrissey put the ball at the feet of Conor Fitzgerald. The sub had the goal at his mercy but mishit his shot which dribbled wide of the right hand post at the Hill 16 End, much to Kilkenny’s relief.

The scores were level at 0-9 and 0-10, but in the dash to the break Kilkenny edged ahead through scores from Murphy and Walsh, his fifth point of the game (0-12 to 0-10).

Kilkenny burst out of the blocks after the break and tore into Limerick, going toe to toe with their opponents. A point from play by Murphy and an excellent score from Liam Blanchfield saw them race into a four-point lead.

When Murphy was played in on goal following a Jason Cleere delivery the crowd gasped as Limerick goalkeeper Eoghan McNamara got down to flick the ball away. Kilkenny had a scare of their own when Darren Brennan pulled off two smashing game-changing saves from corner-forward Peter Casey.

Kilkenny made good their escape, but were leading by just a single score entering the last 20 minutes. Then Walsh exploded. After the ball broke near the 20 metre line Walsh raced in, kicked it away, took a touch to steady himself, then drilled the ball home with a third swing of his boot.

It was a massive score: 1-14 to 0-13. Limerick were on the backfoot.

The Munster side have a reputation for fighting back and picked off three Ronan Lynch frees, but the Kilkennymen stood firm in front of Brennan’s goal - little was being surrendered.

A score by Blanchfield put Kilkenny three ahead with nine to play. Limerick were beginning to panic and started to make mistakes all over the field, none more glaring than when Alan Murphy broke into space in front of goal. The Glenmore man showed deadly awareness to put the ball perfectly into the path of - you guessed it - Walsh, who shot to the net (2-17 to 0-17).

From there Kilkenny held their composure impressively, deservedly taking the title of All-Ireland champions.

SCORERS

Kilkenny - John Walsh (2-5), Alan Murphy (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Ronan Corcoran (0-3), Liam Blanchfield (0-2), Luke Scanlon (0-1).

Limerick - Ronan Lynch (0-9, 0-4 frees, 0-2 65); Cian Lynch (0-3); Seamus Flanagan, Barry Nash, Tom Morrissey (0-2 each); Barry Murphy (0-1).

Kilkenny - Darren Brennan (St Lachtain’s); Tommy Walsh (Tullaroan), Conor Delaney (Erin’s Own), Cathal McGrath (John Lockes); Pat Lyng (Rower-Inistioge), Jason Cleere (Bennettsbridge), Darragh Joyce (capt, Rower-Inistioge); Conor Browne (James Stephens), Luke Scanlon (James Stephens); Sean Morrissey (Bennettsbridge), Ross Butler (O’Loughlin Gaels), Ronan Corcoran (Ballyhale Shamrocks); Alan Murphy (Glenmore), Liam Blanchfield (Bennettsbridge), John Walsh (Mullinavat).

Subs: Billy Ryan (Graigue-Ballycallan) for Butler, Eoin Kenny (Slieverue) for Browne, Andrew Gaffney (Dicksboro) for Corcoran.