Kilkenny 1-16, Limerick 0-13KILKENNY are on course for an unprecedented clean sweep of hurling's four major All-Ireland titles after securing the intermediate crown, for the first time since 1973, in Thurles on Saturday.

A six-point victory was achieved with minimum fuss against a Limerick team inspired by Ciarán Carey at full back.

The seniors and minors now go for the double next Sunday, before the U21s face Tipperary a week later.

Paddy Hogan, imperious at centre back for the U21s against Galway at the same venue seven days before, was the scoring hero this time with 1-6 from wing forward.

KILKENNY: P Hogan 1-6, five frees; Noel Doherty 0-3; D Fogarty, B Beckett, M Grace 0-2 each, K Joyce 0-1, free;

LIMERICK: A O'Connor 0-6, four frees, two 65s; P McNamara 0-3; M Keane, A Brennan, P O'Reilly, D O'Neill 0-1 each.