Kilkenny secured their 18th league title with a six-point win over Tipperary at Nowlan Park on Sunday as the Cats claimed their first Division 1 title since 2014.
TJ Reid led the way for the hosts with a brilliant 0-15 but Tipp half-forward John McGrath produced one of the moments of the match when he hauled in a long ball forward before turning Kilkenny corner-back Joey Holden and finding Jason Forde with a lovely pass to set up the opening goal of the game.
John McGrath ag breith ar an sliotar san aer, scóráil Jason Forde an cúl!!
32" @KilkennyCLG 0-09 @TipperaryGAA 1-07 pic.twitter.com/WFBTLCZ4vz— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) April 8, 2018
Kilkenny rallied in the second-half with Walter Walsh getting a goal back for the hosts after a brilliant pass forward from Conor Delaney.
The score gave Brian Cody’s side a one-point advantage before Kilkenny then extended their lead to six a shortwhile later as Reid, John Donnelly and Bill Sheehan all pointed to give the Cats a commanding lead.
Jason Forde and Reid traded scores down the stretch before Conor Fogarty found the back of the net with a brilliantly taken goal, only for Forde to fire back with a goal of his own.
The victory marked the fifth consecutive time Kilkenny defeated Tipperary in a League final as Cody added the ninth league title of his managerial career.
