Cork celebrated taking over the lead in the honours list with a 17th All-Ireland Minor Hurling championship in a style befitting the best traditions of the county at Croke Park yesterday.
After absorbing Kilkenny's best spell, an intimidating experience over the first 20 minutes of an energetic match, the Cork youths found their rhythm to overwhelm their opponents in the second half.
The Cork players were not overly flattered in the post-match comments notably when Kilkenny minor board chairman, Joe Pyke, told them: "We had no answer for ye today."
Kilkenny's chances were damaged when their wind-assisted superiority was not being reflected on the scoreboard in the first half.
The Leinster champions hit seven first-half wides and lost out on two goal chances. Joe Murray, who played with a suspect hand injury was unlucky to strike the near post at a time when they seemed to be undermining the Munster champions.
"We created well and were playing our best hurling of the year during those first 20 minutes or so; but to play that well and not match it with scores proved our downfall," said a dejected Bobby Jackman, the Kilkenny coach.
Yet, Cork's exhilarating second half display, when playing into the wind, suggested that they could still have succeeded, even had they been in sizeable arrears at half time.
"It is the character of this team," said Cork coach Donncha O'Broin of his charges.
Cork led by 1-7 to 1-5 at half time, an advantage in which their coach, O'Broin, placed little trust. "We were very worried at half time," he admitted. "We had conceded our first goal of this season and we looked in a very precarious position."
But it was against the wind that Cork were seen at their best. Halfbacks Barry Murphy, Ronan Curran, Aidan Fitzpatrick and midfielder Jason Barrett, began to get good ball in to the attack.
The pressure for the Kilkenny defence mounted with the probing antics of Niall McCarthy, an uninhibited substitute, who replaced Willie Deasy at half time.
Industrious midfielder, Jason Barrett, deserved some luck. He duly got it 16 minutes into the second half, when his speculative lob was muffed by the unfortunate Jamie Power, just under his crossbar.
The Kilkenny keeper appeared to be blinded by the sun as he addressed a ball that somehow toppled over his line.
Ironically, Power was the hero of Kilkenny's semi-final win over Galway. He was too distraught to talk about the incident afterwards.
The goal gave Cork a 2-11 to 17 advantage and shattered Kilkenny morale. Kilkenny's best chance to respond to Cork's second-half ebullience, came in the fateful 13th minute of the period. Gearoid Cleere was fouled close in; but Kevin Power's penalty attempt was cleared around the post for a 65.
Kilkenny needed some return for this spell. But Power's 65 curved wide. Kilkenny had to be satisfied with a meagre return of three second-half points, two from Power (one free) and one from Cleere.
Power's work in the Kilkenny attack didn't receive the proper support although full-forward Kieran Rafter looked really dangerous at times in the first half.
His kicked goal following a determined run was a good example.
It was in defence, however, that Kilkenny had their best player in wing-back James Ryall. Cork had the real heroes though, notably in wing-back Aidan Fitzpatrick, midfielder Jason Barrett, supported by Alan O'Connor and attackers James Egan, Cathal McCarthy and sharp-shooter supreme Eoin Fitzgerald.
Team captain, McCarthy is no doubt well on the way to filling the illustrious boots of his father, Charlie.
Cork: M Morrissey; E O'Sullivan, J Olden, D McNamara; B Murphy, R Curran, A Fitzpatrick; A O'Connor, J Barrett (1-2); J Egan (0-2), G McCarthy, E Fitzgerald (0-6, two frees, two 65s); C McCarthy (1-1), B Lombard, W Deasy. Subs: N McCarthy (0-3) for Deasy (half time); V Cusack for Garvan McCarthy (54 mins); P Murphy (0-1) for Fitzgerald (59 mins).
Kilkenny: J Power; P Shefflin, N Hickey, C Hickey; C Herity, J Morgan, J Ryall; J Coogan, K Moore; K Power (0-6, three frees), B Phelan, D Walsh; G Cleere (0-2), K Rafter (1-1), J Murray. Subs: H Gannon for Moore (54 mins);
Referee: G Devlin (Armagh)
