All-Ireland SHC Final/Cork v Kilkenny: Cork had it so right yesterday. Kilkenny were just not able to stay with their running game and with 15 minutes to go it was all about Cork, with the key motivating factor being their hunger.

Not to be hungry in an All-Ireland final is a sin but Cork had the edge in this regard. They were not prepared to be the team that gives up their place on top of the roll of honour. That would never have been forgotten; imagine the flak they would receive at home? Whatever was in them as men and hurlers came out yesterday.

In contrast, there were no leaders on the Kilkenny team in the final 15 minutes. It's going to take at least three more years to get back to this level, making it highly unlikely for the current team to ever win a three-in-a-row.

Cork proved they had the players to counteract the major Kilkenny threats.

In this regard, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Ronan Curran were particularly impressive. They completely blotted out the Kilkenny attack and when they asserted themselves on the half-forward line they really took control. In the second half there was only ever going to be one winner. When they took over, Cork ran out comfortable winners.

It was a poor performance from Kilkenny but they weren't let hurl. You've got to take your hat off to Cork. For the first 10 minutes they looked a bit raggedy, when everyone was finding their feet, with Kilkenny moving everywhere but they failed to threaten once the game settled.

One great hook from John Gardiner on Eddie Brennan in the first few seconds was the only real Kilkenny goal chance, until Donal Óg Cusack had to make a good save from Henry Shefflin in the second half.

Not for the first time several big Kilkenny players went missing in an All-Ireland final. I was sitting beside a Kilkenny man and he said they will not make a change until 10 minutes to go but 10 minutes into the second half we were saying who should be pulled and, more importantly, who should come on.

Maybe Brian Cody felt he didn't have the strength on the bench. Also, yesterday was the first occasion in recent years when Kilkenny were put in the position of needing to make changes. Normally they are so far in front substitutions are a luxury. They left it too late and by then it didn't make a difference.

What I cannot understand is why they put Shefflin on Seán Óg Ó hAilpín. If I were to pick a Cork back to mark Shefflin it would be Seán Óg. He is as big and as strong in the air. Also, he has the pace to cover him. It was a crazy move. Henry got a good point early on and nearly got a goal but in general he was quiet.

Eddie Brennan had another poor All-Ireland final. DJ Carey has played Cork in three All-Ireland finals and on each occasion he has failed to score from play. Cha Fitzpatrick wasn't involved in the game, while Martin Comerford was downright poor. In mitigation, Diarmuid O'Sullivan was very solid at full back.

John Hoyne had a titanic battle with Ronan Curran, which ultimately he lost.

By the finish Wayne Sherlock was flying, while Niall McCarthy had a similar game to last year on Peter Barry, picking up three well-taken scores.

A special mention must go to Brian Corcoran. Since returning he has had a calming influence on the forward line. Yesterday, he was one of the main men and got two fine points. More importantly his all-round play had to be admired. Every time he got possession it resulted in a free or he played a great ball into space. Scores came off him.

The best compliment that he could be paid was seeing Noel Hickey being taken off him. That rarely happens. His point at the finish was nearly scored on his knees, like he did against Limerick earlier in the campaign.

After three years out of the fray his comeback is a complete success. A fine servant of Cork hurling.

Surprisingly, Cork captain Ben O'Connor had a sluggish match. In fairness he was on the best defender and, in my opinion, the best player in the country in JJ Delaney. When Donal Óg Cusack started sending his puck-outs away from Delaney's radar things began to click into place.

McCarthy then began to dominate and Joe Deane was very sharp on Michael Kavanagh, who may have been carrying an injury. Also, Tom Kenny worked hard for the whole 70 minutes.

So, Cork are now back on top with 29 All-Ireland titles. They have played Kilkenny in three All-Ireland finals in five years and won two.

They will really cherish that on Leeside.