Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side, the outsiders for Liam McCarthy according to the bookies before the game, now march onto an All-Ireland semi-final date with Dublin.
The reigning All-Ireland champions were dethroned and make an unusual July exit in the championship with a young Cork outfit showing greater hunger and teamwork on the day in front of a raucous support at Semple Stadium.
The Rebels made a great start to the game, though the dismissal of Henry Shefflin helped the men in red to a 0-11 to 0-06 lead at the interval.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks man was sent-off by referee Barry Kelly after two bookable offences, the second of which was for a high tackle on Jamie Coughlan.
Shefflin receives his second yellow in Thurles
In the second half an inspired Cork outfit continued the same vein of form to win on a scoreline of 0-19 to 0-14, with Pat Horgan leading leading marksman, though it was ultimately a team performance that won out on the day.
Kilkenny yet again demonstrated that never-say-die attitude that has been the hallmark of this great side for so many years, but ultimately fell short and could not manage a fourth championship success over the Rebels, which would have been a first.
A great victory for Cork which will stand them in good stead and we just hope that the red card wasn’t the last act we see of Shefflin in a Kilkenny jersey.
