Hard to know what exactly was at stake in this Division 1B tie. The All-Ireland finalists of last year packed Nowlan Park yesterday and after 70 minutes of sharp and flowing hurling, it obviously wasn't just about getting the first league points.
Kilkenny were always going to need victory more, and their unyielding commitment throughout the afternoon meant they were never headed. Yet the display by both teams defied both the time of year and by all accounts their lack of relevant build-up. The rivalry between these sides later in the year will have fuelled by this game.
With just one change of personnel from September's winning line-up, Cork manager Jimmy Barry Murphy wanted this to be the "true" All-Ireland championship side but one wonders where superstition came into the equation. It was another balanced and mobile performance, especially by forwards Fergal McCormack and Joe Deane, but there was simply more life in Kilkenny's game.
With the rain holding off and the pitch in perfect condition, the scene was set for a good game from the start. Only seven of the September side started for Kilkenny, but none of them would be more significant that DJ Carey. Held scoreless on that occasion, his 1-3 offering yesterday will probably provide the most lasting memory for Cork.
Starting at full forward, Carey looked at his most swift when claiming their first three points, and his goal, which came right on the half-hour, was surely as good as even he can remember. Captain Paddy Mullally sent in a direct ball from midfield and after he had danced around Diarmuid O'Sullivan with some fiery footwork, nobody saw Carey's shot until it was stopped by the net.
Just before that, the sides were tied at 0-6 apiece, as Timmy McCarthy's point completed the clawback of a three-point Kilkenny advantage. Henry Shefflin had been responsible for the bulk of Kilkenny's tally at that stage, with accuracy of equal measure in both his freetaking and from play. His crucial role in this Kilkenny team continues to grow unabated.
Elsewhere, the battle between John Power and Brian Corcoran was typically heated, with the Kilkenny man gradually emerging the better. As the home side pressed forward more and more, Kevin Power began to take over in the right corner and, with remarkable determination, grabbed the final point of the half from a position deep on the sideline.
That gave them a six-point cushion, and while Cork would now have the favour of the wind, they were still that bit slack in raising their game. Points from Mark Landers and Ben O'Connor, and Michael O'Connell's first successful free meant the goal was now the only difference, with the score at 19 to 0-9, but Kilkenny refused to let them get much closer.
Johnny Butler, Rory Moore and full back Sean Meally proved more than solid in their defensive roles, and even though the forwards turned down the volume for a little bit, the introduction of Ken O'Shea seemed to spark some renewed interest. Twice he had runs at goal blocked at the final stage by Donal Og Cusack and with Shefflin hitting two more big points, Cork remained that troublesome three points down.
Three substitutions failed to have the required impact, although Alan Browne and Kevin Murray certainly made their presence known. Going into the last 10 minutes, Kilkenny, who were now four points up, seemed to be running out of ideas and the goal hunt became increasingly pressing for Cork.
It was Browne who came closest five minutes from time. O'Connell floated in a free and while Browne managed to direct the ball into the net, he was also judged to have intruded into the square.
So the remaining minutes ticked out without a score, the only other incident of note being a brief flareup when Diarmuid O'Sullivan became entangled with Ken O'Shea. Still, the final whistle was warmly greeted by the 10,000-odd support and with the new year and a new result now behind them, Kilkenny won't be looking back anymore.
KILKENNY: J McGarry; J Butler, S Meally, N Hickey; R Moore, E Kennedy, P Barry; A Comerford (0-1, a sideline cut), P Mullally (0-1); H Shefflin (0-6, four frees), J Power, B McEvoy; K Power (0-2), DJ Carey (1-3), J Phelan. Subs: M Kavanagh for Kennedy (half-time); K O'Shea for Phelan (48 mins).
CORK: D Og Cusack; F Ryan, D O'Sullivan, J Browne; W Sherlock (0-1), B Corcoran, D Barrett; M Landers (0-1), M O'Connell (0-2, one free, one 65); T McCarthy (0-1), F McCormack (0-3), N Ronan; S McGrath (0-1), J Deane (0-2, both frees), B O'Connor (0-1). Subs: P Ryan for Landers (42 mins); K Murray for McGrath (50 mins); A Browne for McCarthy (52 mins).
Referee: D Murphy (Wexford).
