ALL-IRELAND IHC FINAL Cork 2-23 Kilkenny 0-16:LEIGH DESMOND scored 10 points as slick Cork scored an easy victory at Dungarvan on Saturday, easily out-smarting defending champions Kilkenny.
Cork were set on their way to their seventh title in the seventh minute when Luke Farrell powered through the Kilkenny defence and blasted home a top-class goal. With Desmond dominant at midfield and landing points from all angles, Cork drove on in to an interval lead of 1-8 to 0-9.
The losers charged at the opposition in the new half, but two early points from Eoin Guinan (frees) drew replies from Lorcan McLoughlin and Desmond (free) to maintain Cork’s firm grip on proceedings.
The winners then hit a purple patch, and unanswered points from Stephen Moylan, Desmond, Moylan again and Rory Dwyer took them into a 1-15 to 0-11 lead.
Kilkenny were beaten at this stage, mainly because they couldn’t get a look in at midfield.
Cork finished on a high, and on full-time former senior star Eamon Collins crashed a dropping ball to the net after Desmond was the provider.
CORK: A Nash; B Coleman, D McSweeney, B Murphy; J Carey (0-1), R Cashman, J Jordan; E Dillon (0-1), L Desmond (0-10, five frees); R Dwyer (0-3, frees), Mark O'Sullivan (0-1), L McLoughlin (0-1); Maurice O'Sullivan, L O'Farrell (1-2), S Moylan (0-3). Subs: E Collins (1-0)for Maurice O'Sullivan 42 mins, A Mannix (0-1)for S Moylan 53 mins, J O'Leary for J Carey 55 mins, P O'Leary for B Coleman 58 mins.
KILKENNY: T Brophy; K Mooney, P Murphy (0-2), P O'Donovan; J Cottrell, R Cody, W Burke; C Fogarty, N Kennedy (0-1); E Brennan, JJ Farrell (0-2), B Lannon (0-1); M Boran (0-1), E Kavanagh, E Guinan (0-8, seven frees). Subs: J Cahill for M Boran 21 mins; C Dunne for E Brennan half-time; E Hickey (0-1)for Cottrell 42 mins; N Cleere for B Lannon 50 mins; M Murphy for Kavanagh 50 mins.
Referee: S McMahon(Clare).
