Kilkenny...1-8 Tipperary...0-10: That makes it three minor All-Ireland finals in a row for Kilkenny. On a difficult day for hurling they overcame a decent challenge from Tipperary even if they look a shadow of their predecessors.
Manager Bro Damien Brennan is going to have to work some of the old magic to produce a third All-Ireland title in a row when they face the winners of next week's clash between Cork and Galway.
Despite missing last year's stars Richie Power and James "Cha" Fitzpatrick, they have in Eoin Guinan and Richie Hogan enough quality to rattle all comers. Also, in midfield they have the sturdy Patrick Hogan.
Kilkenny were far superior than the final score suggested. The wet conditions never allowed either side to get any decent rhythm into their play but Kilkenny had the edge from Gavin Nolan's goal in the eighth minute.
In contrast, Tipperary never capitalised at the critical stages.
In particular, Darragh Hickey had a chance to cancel Nolan's goal 10 minutes before the break but corner back Eamonn Walsh made a classic cover tackle as his marker prepared to pull the trigger. From the break an off-balance Hickey struck a wide. Then they suffered the loss of full back Seán Ryan, to a damaged wrist.
Hickey's free-taking did ensure a tight contest as Kilkenny had to be content with a 1-5 to 0-5 half-time lead.
Kieran Bergin hit a quick brace early after the restart to bring it back to the minimum but even non-vintage Kilkenny teams are difficult to overcome.
Richie Hogan pulled them clear once more entering the final quarter with two classy points in a minute.
Tipperary refused to fall off the pace but a monstrous score from Patrick Hogan, from near the half-way line, left them needing a goal to deny the black and amber tide.
The game looked up for Tipperary until injury time when replacement Niall Bergin offered a glimmer of hope with two well-struck points, both despite the attention of the frantic Kilkenny defence. However, they had left it too late as from the second puck-out referee Denis Richardson brought the contest to a conclusion.
Like their senior counterparts, this crop of Kilkenny minors had that native craft and ability to find their way to Croke Park for the second Sunday in September.
KILKENNY: L Tierney; J Maher, K Joyce, E Walsh; N Prendergast, R Maher, S Prendergast; P Hartley, P Hogan (0-1); G Nolan (1-0), N Kenny, E O'Donoghue; R Hogan (0-4), M Nolan, E Guinan (0-3). Subs: M Ruth for E O'Donoghue (44 mins), J Farrell for S Long (61 mins).
TIPPERARY: M Ryan; I Delaney, S Ryan, R McLoughney; S O'Brien, J McCarthy, J McLoughney; J Woodlock, R McGrath; K Bergin (0-3), J Dixon, D Egan (0-1); D Hickey (0-3, three frees), P Ivors, S Long (0-1). Subs: S Lillis for S Ryan (20 mins), N Bergin (0-2) for J Woodlock (34 mins), C Larkin for P Ivors (42 mins), T King for J Dixon (49 mins).
Referee: D Richardson (Limerick).
