Kilkenny captain DJ Carey kisses the Liam McCarthy Cup

Kilkenny fought off a tremendous second half comeback from Cork to win back-to-back All-Ireland Hurling titles at Croke Park.

The Cats completely dominated the first half against a very reticient Cork side who fired nine wides before the break, and 18 in total.

But on the resumption Cork stormed back and at one time lead 1-10 to 1-09 helped by a great goal by Setanta O hAilpin and a point from Timmy McCarthy.

But a late surge by the defending champions with a goal by Martin Comerford and two points by Henry Shefflin denied Cork the glory.

Half-forward Tommy Walsh was a revelation for Kilkenny in the early stages. A late inclusion after injury worries, the 20-year-old Tullaroan star put his more vaunted colleague and skipper DJ Carey in the shade.

But it was Comerford who stood up to be counted when it mattered with his 64th minute goal putting put Kilkenny back on the winning track.

Kilkenny were coasting at the break after Walsh had opened the scoring after only 10 seconds and collected three points in what was one-way traffic.

Minute-by-minute action

Shefflin was also on the boil in that first period when he scored four points. But he also came good at the end with those two very important points at the death.

Cork were abysmal in that opening period and all they had to show were a couple of Joe Deane frees and a late point by Timmy McCarthy.

But what a turnaround on the restart. They clawed their way back into contention with Deane shooting three points and Ben O'Connor popping over a brace.

But it was that goal out of the blue from O'hAilpin that really turned the game on its head again.

Legend

When Niall McCarthy gave Cork the lead for the first time in the 55th minute a real shock was on the cards.

But slowly and surely Kilkenny fought back. That goal by Comerford that bounced over unfortunate goalkeeper Donal Og Cusack, brought them level and a final point by Shefflin saw the Cats champions again.

It was the anonymous Carey who collected the trophy as captain for the first time in his illustrious career.

He did not register a point, indeed it was all of 26 minutes before the hurling legend even touched the ball.

But it will matter little to the man who has collected nine All Star awards. He will have the Liam McCarthy trophy to sooth away the memory.

Cork: D Cusack, W Sherlock, P Mulcahy, D O'Sullivan, T Kenny, R Curran, Sean O'hAilpin, M O'Connell, J Gardiner, B O'Connor, N McCarthy, T McCarthy, Setanta O'hAilpin, J Deane, A Browne.

Kilkenny: J McGarry, M Kavanagh, N Hickey, J Ryall, S Dowling, P Barry, JJ Delaney, D Lyng, R Mullally, J Hoyne, H Shefflin, T Walsh, DJ Carey, M Comerford, E Brennan.

Referee: Pat O'Connor (Limerick).

Minor All Ireland Hurling final:
Kilkenny 2-14 2-13 Galway