Leinster MHC Final/Kilkenny 4-22 Carlow 1-5: Move along folks, nothing to see here. Just a 50th provincial title for the Kilkenny minors. That Carlow never looked even remotely capable of producing any form of competitive resistance reflects badly on the state of Leinster underage hurling as they accounted for Wexford, Offaly and Laois en route to the final. Kilkenny had 12 points to spare on Dublin in their semi-final.

Carlow deserved their day in the sun - or rain as it turned out - but they were not equipped for the challenge. An All-Ireland quarter-final against Tipperary provides an unlikely chance of redemption in three weeks' time.

By nine minutes Kilkenny had taken six shots at the uprights and led 0-6 to no score. The Kilkenny attacking spine looks capable of following in a rich tradition with the latest great white hope Richie Hogan torturing full back Brian Nolan. He had six points by the break, including two frees from distance. He finally left the field with 2-10.

With the Kilkenny forwards running riot, Carlow duly trailed 0-13 to 0-2 when retreating to the sanctuary of the Hogan Stand for half-time and the worse thing that could happen in the opening phase of the second period was concession of an early goal or being reduced to 14 men. Or both.

After a quite opening, Johnjo Farrell came to life with a well taken finish within two minutes before Carlow corner back Derek Byrne was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.

Despite the occasional reprieve via the free-taking of Paudie Kehoe the contest concluded amidst an avalanche of black and amber scores.

Still, the jury remains out on their All-Ireland credentials.

KILKENNY: C McGrath; P Nolan, K Mooney, PJ Rowe; P Murphy, D Langton, G Fennelly; J Fitzpatrick, M Bergin (0-4, two 65s); M Murphy, J Mulhall (0-2), J Farrell (1-2); M Walsh (0-3), R Hogan (2-10, seven frees), C Fennelly (0-1). Subs: N Anthony (1-0) for M Murphy (23 mins), A Kearns for P Nolan (41 mins), K Grehan for J Farrell (50 mins).

CARLOW: K Kehoe; D Byrne, B Nolan, HP O'Byrne; B Doyle, D Kavanagh (0-1, one free), J Kinsella; R Coady, P Walsh; J Kavanagh, C Coughlan (0-1), A Cox; P Kehoe (1-3, four frees), P Amond, D Murphy. Subs: C Clancy for P Walsh (half-time), C Doyle for D Murphy (48 mins), R Kelly for J Kinsella (58 mins), D Tuite for B Doyle (59 mins).

Referee: J Owens (Wexford).