Limerick blown away by whirlwind start

Hurling Analyst:This game was over as a contest after Kilkenny's great start. I asked the question on Saturday about whether the hunger of 12 months ago could be revived. It was emphatically answered by them scoring 2-3 within nine minutes. It was the start Limerick desperately needed but Kilkenny got.

Having said that, I'm not so sure they produced the same intensity as last year's final. Only because they didn't need to. They won the All-Ireland title without ever being stretched to full capacity.

The motivation was clear - the memory of Vanessa McGarry and the players desire to see Henry Shefflin lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Every key battle went their way.

Tommy Walsh confirmed himself as player of the year, in my eyes anyway, with another magnificent display that included two points from wing back. He has been a colossus whenever Kilkenny required him throughout the championship and is one of the best players I have ever seen.

Eddie Brennan gave another contender for hurler of the year, Séamus Hickey, a severe education on what can happen to a corner back on the big occasion in Croke Park. He destroyed the teenager.

Shefflin scored a great goal, giving Brian Geary a torrid time in the process, while in the first half generally they were taking scores much easier than Limerick with Eoin Larkin, in particular, scoring almost at will.

Jackie Tyrrell bossed Andrew O'Shaughnessy all day with the Limerick man's early missed free clearly denting his confidence. Tyrrell was outstanding in a duel many thought he would lose.

Noel Hickey set a perfect early tone to ensure a payout for Brian Cody's gamble to start him. Such was his dominance that Brian Begley was forced out to the wing.

By the time Shefflin and Hickey had retired injured, the game was effectively over.

Limerick seemed very relaxed in the warm up, which in hindsight appears to have been too subdued.

Kilkenny killed off the advantage Limerick held by having the huge majority of supporters, which was very important. They would certainly have played a serious role if it had been a closer match.

Limerick needed goals, but PJ Ryan didn't have to make a save in the opening 35 minutes. Credit must go to the Kilkenny midfield and forwards for denying Limerick defenders the opportunity of sending clean ball into the forwards.

I also believe O'Shaughnessy's shot for goal from the free came too early, especially considering his confidence took another nosedive when he missed the resulting 65.

Donie Ryan, as expected, came out the field, but with Michael Kavanagh staying inside as an extra man it meant a three on two scenario developed in Kilkenny's favour with O'Shaughnessy and Begley increasingly isolated.

To Limerick's credit they managed to drag themselves back into contention with Ollie Moran's goal (who along with the other veteran Mark Foley and Donal O'Grady can hold their heads up high after fighting tooth and nail for the cause) which brought it back to a five-point deficit.

This was the crucial period of the game if Limerick were to really test the champions. Niall Moran missed a straightforward point and Richie Power responded immediately with a point down the other end. Foley followed up with another poor wide. That silenced the crowd completely.

Soon the attention will switch to Kilkenny's bid to become the first team to achieve a three-in-a-row since Cork 1976-78. This will undoubtedly supply Cody with the additional motivation needed to guide them to the well once more.

He must also be commended for the substitutions he made as John Tennyson, Michael Fennelly and Power all had a positive impact.

Limerick have had a great year and ultimately I feel sorry for them that it has to end like this, but their can be no doubt that the production treadmill in Kilkenny is as strong as ever.

It's a long way off, but they will take some stopping in 2008.