Dublin 2-11 Kilkenny 2-10:HURLING/Walsh Cup Final: The records showed that Dublin had not won a senior hurling cup of any significance since 1961, the year they won the Leinster title. But DJ Carey was not in the least surprised that Marty Morris's team had bridged the 42-year gap by turning in a stunning performance before a large crowd at Parnell Park yesterday.
Carey was relegated to little more than a spectator in the left corner forward position, policed closely by young Keith Elliott.
"We all know that Dublin are good hurlers, they only had to put it together for 70 minutes, something that they had been lacking in the past," he said. "We have no arguments, we were beaten by the better team. I would hate to meet them in the championship playing as they did today. Hurling needs a strong Dublin team."
Carey, one of 12 of the champions' All-Ireland line-out to start, explained why he did not come into the game. "Some days are like that, the ball doesn't run for you. I wasn't frustrated because I hadn't held a hurley since November, but had it happened later in the year I certainly would feel frustrated."
Dublin manager Morris said that his youth policy is paying off. "The older players know they have got to fight hard to stay in the team and the goodwill and support all round from the county board has been great. The players have been training five nights a week. Kilkenny know now that if we qualify from the round-robin series they will have a tough game on their hands come the championship."
The game could not have ended in more dramatic manner with substitute John McGuirk snatching the winning point from 60 yards in injury time.
It was a deserved scenario, for Dublin's resolute, forceful and persistent side had led for most of the match. Kilkenny's defenders were given little time to clear their lines as the eager Dublin attack went in search of scores.
Henry Shefflin, who finished with 1-6, was Kilkenny's main source for scores off frees. Dublin led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the interval.
Kilkenny, forced to play catch-up, levelled three times before taking the lead for the first time with an Eddie Brennan point in the 53rd minute. Charlie Carter levelled the scores for the second time with a third-quarter goal, but within seconds Shane Martin had the ball in the Kilkenny net.
Stephen Hiney displayed typical Dublin grit in the left wing back position and Conal Keaney was inspiring in midfield.
Captain Kevin Flynn, who sniped four fine points, three from frees, said: "We want to get up there with the Tipperarys, Galways and Kilkennys and stay there. Today was merely a stepping stone for us."
DUBLIN: B McLoughlin (0-1 pen); K Elliott, D Spain, K Meehan; K Wilson, L Ryan, S Hiney (0-1); C Keaney (0-1), K Ryan; S McDonnell (0-1), K O'Donoghue (0-1), T Moore (1-1); S Martin (1-0), K Horgan, K Flynn (0-4 three frees). Subs: S Perkins for Horgan (31 mins), J McGuirk (0-1) for Perkins (62 mins), M Carton for K Ryan (49 mins).
KILKENNY: J McGarry; M Kavanagh, A Cummins, P Larkin; R Mulally, P Barry, J Ryall; J Hoyne, D Lyng; J Coogan (0-1), H Shefflin (1-6 five frees), E Brennan (0-1); C Carter (1-1), M Comerford, DJ Carey (0-1 free). Subs: JJ Delaney for Coogan, W Burke for Kavanagh (53 mins), B McEvoy for Lyng (67 mins).
Referee S Kelly (Wexford).
