Kilkenny crowned U-20 hurling champions after ding-dong battle with Limerick at Thurles

A masterful scoring display in front of goal from Billy Drennan saw Kilkenny crowned All – Ireland U20 Hurling Champions for 2022 in Semple Stadium this afternoon.

After an unusually quiet first half Drennan began to motor as the game progressed ending the day with an impressive eight points over the afternoon.

In what was a hugely entertaining final the sides couldn't be separated in the opening half with Kilkenny leading by the narrowest of margins at the break.

Kilkenny goalkeeper Aidan Tallis had played a starring role for his club Lisdowney last year with 3-4 in a relegation play – off and his point was the difference at half time.

Kilkenny came closest to raising the green flag with both Ian Byrne and Cian Scully seeing goal bound shots tipped away by Hanley - Clarke in the Limerick goal.

Incredibly the sides were level fourteen times throughout the game with a real ding dong battle playing out in front of the crowd.

Aidan O’Connor stood out for Limerick all afternoon but his three points from play and ten points overall just wasn’t enough as Kilkenny held on to claim victory by a single point and the highly coveted title of All-Ireland Champions.

Limerick got off to a flyer with Adam English pointing the first score of the game inside the opening twenty seconds.

Both sides brought a real intensity and zip to the game early on with Clifford and O’Donovan helping themselves to two points apiece in the opening ten minutes.

On the twenty minute mark Paddy Langton scored a unique point as his long range effort was batted back into play by Hanley - Clarke in the Limerick goal but the new smart sliothar was deemed to have just edged between the posts before it was tipped back into play to leave the sides level on seven points