Player of the match Julie Ann Malone put Kilkenny's first All-Ireland Senior Camogie final win in 22 years down to an enormous hunger and ferocious work rate.
Scarred by defeats in the decider in 2009, 2013 and 2014, the Cats were on a mission to not only end their painful wait for glory, but also derail the Rebelettes drive for a three-in-a-row.
Ann Downey's charges got over the line thanks to a superbly disciplined and focused display at Croke Park. For Malone, it was a triumph fuelled by sheer desire.
"We were so hungry to get an All-Ireland," she told RTÉ Sport. "It's my first year playing senior inter-county, but there's girls there for years that never won a senior All-Ireland medal so I'm privileged to be with the girls today.
"It's all their hard work over the years that paid off."
In a pulsating final quarter, Cork threw everything at their opponents.
It was the ultimate test of Kilkenny's stomach for the fight, but one they passed with flying colours.
"It was a very tough battle, it never seemed easy at any stage. We knew that they'd be fighting right to the very end and we're delighted to come out on top."
Player of the match Julie Ann Malone gives her reaction to Kilkenny's All-Ireland triumph. #rtegaa
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 11, 2016
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