Gaelic Games round-up:A whirlwind start that saw them score 2-6 in the opening 10 minutes helped Kilkenny to a comprehensive 3-21 to 0-16 Allianz Hurling Final victory over Cork at Semple Stadium this afternoon.
Ballinhassig’s Martin Coleman was given the nod to take over in goals for the injured Dónal Óg Cusack, but he endured a torrid opening spell as the Cats piled forward from the throw in at Thurles.
Michael Fennelly and Matt Ruth had already picked off points before Eoin Larkin scored Kilkenny’s first goal after just five minutes, taking of the advantage of the space left by Coleman to fire home into the far corner.
With Kilkenny storming the Rebel backline, Colin Fennelly grabbed a second goal on 10 minutes with a cracking finish to leave the score 2-6 to 0-1 after 10 minutes.
There was no way that Brian Cody’s side could keep up their early momentum but they would grab a third goal before half-time when TJ Reid firing home after Coleman had initially cleared the danger.
It left the score at 3-11 to 0-6 and the game was all but up, although Cork did keep it level on the scoreboard in the second half, with both sides hitting 10 points apiece.
It will act as scant consolation for Jimmy Barry Murphy’s young side, with Kilkenny bringing plenty of momentum into the All-Ireland championships on the back of a hugely impressive showing and their 15th league title.
Dublin's Under-21 footballersproduced a storming finish to win their second All-Ireland title in three years as they beat Roscommon 2-12 to 0-11 in Tullamore.
Roscommon were two points clear with 13 minutes to go but Jim Gavin’s side came to life in the final stretch, doubling their score from 16 to 2012 and keeping their opponents scoreless to run out seven point winners.
Paul Mannion grabbed a late goal in that tally, with Paul Hudson grabbing Dublin’s first in added time at the end of the first half to give his side a 1-5 to 0-6 lead at the interval.