The main talking points as Kilkenny taste Leinster Hurling glory

MAIN MAN
Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)
The O’Loughlin Gaels man produced one of the great full back displays as he lorded the skies time and time again as Galway rather surprisingly sent a huge number of direct deliveries in his direction. It was just another example of why many feel Huw is the best no.3 in the country and to top it all off he was also the architect for a couple of points down the other end.

TURNING POINT
While Kilkenny were still very much in control, the first goal which was finished in opportunistic fashion by Mossy Keoghan right on the cusp of half-time gave the Cats an advantage they were never likely to relinquish.

TALKING POINT
Apart from the final 10 minutes where Galway attempted a late comeback when they scored 1-6 on the trot, it was all too easy for Kilkenny as they dealt with the Tribesmen challenge with relative ease.

Highlight
The Leinster final success was the sixth year in a row that Kilkenny have left Croke Park with the Bob O’Keeffe Cup and with their ambition and hunger levels sky high, they will be hugely motivated to end their All-Ireland wait in the next few weeks.

Lowlight
From the blood and thunder of the Munster Final in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick the night before, this was a very poor comparison with a challenge game feel to proceedings for long periods. The addition of free tickets to kids definitley helped but the viability of staging the final in GAA HQ will definitley come in for discussion once again.

WHAT NOW?
Kilkenny will now march forward to an All-Ireland Semi-Final on Sunday, July 6 with Limerick the likely opposition. Galway on the other hand must lick their wounds ahead of an All-Ireland Quarter-Final with either Laois or Tipperary on the weekend after next.

Attendance
37,503