Kilkenny 3-11 Limerick 0-14: Kilkenny secured their 13th National Hurling League title with a six point victory over Limerick at Semple Stadium in Thurles today but the winning margin was not quite as comfortable as perhaps it may sound.
In a keenly contested game, both sides flashed ominous warnings ahead of the championship campaign but Kilkenny, as is so often the case, put the result beyond doubt with a quick series of killer goals.
Their first came after 11 minutes when, trailing by a single score, Henry Shefflin fed Eoin Larkin who made no mistake from a tight angle.
But Limerick refused to buckle and showed tremendous courage and determination to pull level entering first-half injury time.
But despite that endeavour, Limerick were punished just before the break when Larkin turned provider for Shefflin and the star forward batted the ball to the back of the net.
That score put Kilkenny three points ahead at the break on a 2-4 to 0-7 scoreline. Limerick tried hard to rally in the second period and, at times, the contest was played at Championship pace.
Barry Foley, scorer of five points, did everything possible to keep Limerick in touch but despite his courageous display the local side could never quite reel in their opponents.
Kilkenny then killed off the contest when Larkin again supplied Shefflin for the third and final goal.
Dublin secured promotion to Division 1 following their comprehensive win over Kerry while Down stunned Laois by securing their spot in the top flight and relegating the Leinster side to Division 2.
Results
NHL Division 1 final
Limerick 3-11 Kilkenny 0-14
NHL Division 1 relegation play-off
Laois 0-19 Down 2-16
NHL Division 2 final
Dublin 0-17 Kerry 1-6
NHL Division 2 relegation play-off
Wicklow 7-15 Roscommon 3-6
NHL Division 3 final
Longford 1-11 Armagh 3-10
NFL Division 2 final replay
Donegal 1-9 Louth 1-12