The game at a glance
Man of the match
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Kieran Joyce (Kilkenny)
His opposite number, Tipperary full-back Padraig Maher, also did extremely well but Joyce's second-half performance during which he protected the Kilkenny goal with defiant authority was most impressive.
Turning point
Tipperary centre-forward Seamus Callinan was presented with an excellent goal opportunity in the 49th minute but miscued and his weak ground shot was easily smothered. A goal would have cut Kilkenny's lead to a single point at a time when Tipp's recovery drive was in full flow.
Talking point
Should Tipperary wing-forward, Patrick Maher have been awarded a penalty right at the end? The referee penalised him for over-carrying, which looked extremely harsh both in real time and in subsequent video reviews.
Ref watch
James Owens' decision to side with the defence rather than the attack in the late penalty incident involving Tipperary's Maher was the most questionable decision made by the Wexford man, who had done well prior to that.
They said:
Michael Walsh (Kilkenny manager)
"There was an awful lot of weight on these lads' shoulders but they carried it well. All-Irelands are won in the last 10 minutes and they stood up well to huge Tipperary pressure. We had lost our shape earlier on in the half but we finished well."
Declan Carr (Tipperary manager)
"You need a goal to win a game and we didn't get it. Kilkenny's second goal just before half-time was a real killer and left us with an awful lot to do. We fought back well but we needed more scores from play. As for the penalty call, it was touch and go. Some days you get them and some days you don't."
Match statistics
Wides: Kilkenny 11 (7); Tipperary 6 (5).
Frees: Kilkenny 12 (4); Tipperary 13 (6).
Yellow cards: Kilkenny 2 (J Mulhall 31, M Cahill 47); Tipperary 1 (T McGrath 32).
Red cards: Kilkenny 0; Tipperary 0.
Attendance: 18,727.
