Kilkenny were deservedly crowned All-Ireland Junior Football champions following a 3-12 to 1-09 win over New York at Croke Park.
Christy Walsh's side should have been more comfortable earlier in the game only for series of five saves from New York goalkeeper Brendan Cole before they did strike for two goals in additional time.
The Cats hit the first five points of the game, Jamie Holahan fisting over after just 11 seconds with Mick Kenny (2), Jim Culleton and Conor Hennessy also all on target inside the first eight minutes.
Mike Brosnan did get New York, made up exclusively of home-grown players, off the mark before Conor Mathers added a second point.
The main moment of the first period came eight minutes before the break as Holahan smuggled the ball into the goal after a fine pass from Adam Mansfield.
That left Kilkenny 1-06 to 0-04 ahead at half time and they tried to push on at the start of the second half, but Cole provided stiff resistance.
It was game on in the 46th minute when the combative Brian Coughlan finished high to the net for New York to leave it 1-08 to 1-06 in Kilkenny’s favour.
Kilkenny hit four of the next five points to seemingly kill off the game, but New York fought back gamely to leave three points between them in additional time.
However, with the American side pushing for a levelling goal, Kilkenny countered and after getting past Cole, Kenny sealed the win by finishing to the net from close range before John Walsh added a soccer style third.
