Kilkenny continue to look imperious following this crushing 27-point Allianz NHL Division 1 defeat of Cork at Nowlan Park.
The victory guarantees the Cats a date in the Allianz NHL Division One final against Tipperary, but that fact is nearly lost given the ease at which Brian Cody’s men disposed of one of the country’s top outfits.
Kilkenny full-forward Richie Power further enhanced his reputation with a hat-trick of goals, overshadowing the ten points 'King' Henry Shefflin contributed to a remarkably comfortable victory.
Affairs were tight for the first seven minutes but things went downhill fast for the Rebels once Power had notched his first three-pointer of the day.
2008 Hurler of the Year Eoin Larkin bagged the Cats' second goal as Cork had simply no answer and went in trailing 2-14 to 0-05. Kilkenny supporters have seen plenty of good days down the years, but the first-half performance was so good that they gave their side a standing ovation as they left the field and entered the tunnel.
Most other sides would have sat back and admired their work, but Kilkenny do not indulge in such complacency.
The second half was just over a minute old when goalkeeper PJ Ryan sent a free from over 100 yards out into the Cork goalmouth to where Power was waiting to steer the sliotar home.
The Carrickshock clubman completed his hat-trick mid-way through the second half when he put the finishing touch to a move that began when Kilkenny won possession from a Cork sideline cut.
The scoreline read 4-16 to 0-07 at that point, but Kilkenny were not prepared to show any mercy and added a further ten points before the final whistle.
