Resilient Limerick see off Kilkenny to claim three-in-a-row

History the hard way.

Limerick secured their first three-in-a-row of senior hurling titles but only after holding off a second-half charge from Kilkenny in an electric All-Ireland final.

On a sweltering July day in Dublin, Limerick brought the heat from the start and were five points up after a quarter of an hour.

Gearóid Hegarty had had a quiet semi-final but he's the big man for the big day and smashed Kilkenny for 1-05 in all, his goal after four minutes sending the champions into a lead they held for all but a couple of minutes.

Limerick started like a train but Kilkenny, as we knew they would, fought like dogs. A couple of half-goal chances were snuffed out and, thanks to seven frees from TJ Reid, they somehow went in only four points down at the break, 1-17 to 0-16.

Gearoid Hegarty rockets the ball into the top corner of the net to give Limerick the ideal start. Live now, highlights on #sundaygame from 9.30pm