WALSH CUP FINAL: Kilkenny 2-20 Galway 1-14:KILKENNY have lost none of the hunger which brought them All-Ireland glory last year if their performance in this final is anything to by.

With 13 of the All-Ireland-winning side getting a run at some stage, they eased their way to their 18th Walsh Cup yesterday.

Galway will be disappointed with the challenge they mounted and the task facing Anthony Cunningham and his management team was all too apparent.

An early goal from Richie Hogan saw Kilkenny open up a 1-7 to 0-2 lead after just 15 minutes.

James Regan’s goal helped Galway rally, but Richie Power’s accuracy helped Kilkenny lead 1-13 to 1-7 at the interval.

Joe Canning fired over a string of frees to haul Galway back into contention before Eoin Larkin’s 55th minute goal quelled their comeback.

KILKENNY: D Herity; N Hickey, JJ Delaney, P Murphy; P Hogan (0-1f), B Hogan, C Fogarty; L Ryan, M Rice; J Mulhall (0-2), R Power (0-11, 8f, 1 65), E Larkin (1-1); C Fennelly (0-2), R Hogan (1-3), A Fogarty. Subs: M Fennelly for Rice, J Tyrrell for Murphy, T Walsh for Ryan (all half-time); K Buckley for C Fennelly (54 mins); W Phelan for Hickey (66).

GALWAY: J Skehill; D Connolly, F Moore, K Hynes; B Flaherty, T Og Regan, P Huban; J Coen, D Burke (0-2); E Ryan, I Tannian, J Canning (0-9, eight frees); D Hayes, C Cooney (0-1), J Regan (1-1). Subs: M Lydon for Huban, N Donohue for Flaherty (both 31 mins); B Burke (0-1) for Hayes (half-time); J Cooney for Coen (48); T Haran for Ryan (63).

Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).