It was going to take a magnificent performance to dethrone the Cats and boy did Tipp deliver one.
Tipperary are All-Ireland hurling champions for the first time since 2010 after crushing Kilkenny’s three-in-a-row bid at Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.
From the outset, the Premier County looked primed for battle and dominated proceedings against a Kilkenny side that, in typical Kilkenny fashion, just wouldn’t go away.
Tipp were probably value for a better lead than two points at the break having spurned a number of opportunities, which came back to haunt them early in the second half when Kevin Kelly netted for Brian Cody’s side and put them back in the lead.
Three points on the bounce was the perfect response by Michael Ryan’s men to that setback and they drove on with a cracking goal by John “Bubbles O’Dwyer just before the 50 minute mark.
Ten minutes later, John McGrath rattled the onion bag to stretch the lead to nine before Richie Hogan responded immediately with a goal to give the Cats some hope of a comeback.
With Seamus Callanan prominent (just the 13 points for Seamie today), however, Tipp held firm and went on to prevail in some style, winning by a margin of nine points in the end.
There was plenty of deserved praise sent their way after the final whistle.
All Irl SHC Final Kilkenny 2-20 Tipperary 2-29 (FT) (via @gaajourno) Thoroughly deserved Tipp victory. Congratulations!
— Kilkenny GAA (@KilkennyCLG) September 4, 2016
What a match! A fantastic performance by Tipperary. Relentless, driving hurling. Fully deserve to be champions. #gaa
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) September 4, 2016
THAT is how you win an All Ireland. 2-29 to 2-20. Incredible stuff. #GAA
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 4, 2016
Massive performance!
Congratulations @TipperayGAA 🏆👏#AllIrelandFinal pic.twitter.com/lwZwiXiYgh
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) September 4, 2016
Has there ever been a performance as good as Sheamus Callanan's in an All Ireland final #hero
— John Doyle (@johnnydoyle78) September 4, 2016
It's the largest tally that Kilkenny have conceded in a championship match under Brian Cody, outstripping Galway's 5-18 in 2005. #GAA
— Pat Nolan (@pat_nolan) September 4, 2016
First minor/senior All-Ireland double for Tipp since 1949, and just the third ever #GAA
— Jackie Cahill 🖐👍 (@cahilljackie) September 4, 2016
https://twitter.com/Woolberto/status/772466411696484352
The Tipp management react in the sideline as the final whistle blows! Slievenamon booming out now in Croker #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/IOWHK7xq5q
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) September 4, 2016
