Tipperary player ratings: Maher and Heffernan lead the way in heroic team performance

For the second game in succession, Hawk-Eye awarded a point after Hogan had fetched it above his crossbar. In his first All-Ireland final he kept a clean sheet, while Tipperary retained 20 of his 26 puck-outs.

Saved his best performance of the season for last. Barrett was in immense form and cleaned up effectively as their spare man after Richie Hogan’s dismissal for a late hit on the defender.

Made a few huge fetches and completely restricted Colin Fennelly’s influence on the game. Showed his versatility by shining at full-back. The complete defender.

A key member of Tipperary’s solid full-back line, he cleared a mountain of ball and helped nullify Kilkenny’s attacking threat. His finest hour in the blue and gold.

Lined out at centre-back as expected and held Kilkenny’s talisman TJ Reid to a point from play. Another solid man-marking role by Maher, who has become a firefighter for Liam Sheedy’s side.

A rock at the heart of the Premier’s defence. Maher switched onto Walter Walsh near the end of the first-half who had been a target from Murphy’s puck-outs. Maher came driving out with ball after ball to set-up a host of attacks and was unlucky not to find the target himself, sending two shots.

He broke forward for two booming points from distance, one in either half. His man John Donnelly chipped over a couple of scores under his watch, but Kennedy did a very good job overall.

Bagged the Premier’s first score of the game. Didn’t have a huge influence but worked hard and dove-tailed well with McGrath in midfield.

Got himself on loads of ball in his floating midfield role, particularly in the second-half. The Tipp forwards greatly benefit when he’s allowed that much time on the ball. Chipped in with a point from play during Tipp’s devastating period after half-time.

The quietest of Tipperary’s forwards, he was their only starting attacker who failed to score from play. McCormack does a lot of the unnoticed donkey work on the half-forward line. Replaced after 57 minutes. 

O’Dwyer was at his brilliant best today. He played most of his hurling in the full-forward line, setting up Niall O’Meara’s goal and scoring one of his own in the 42nd minute. He finished with 1-2 and pulled off some delightful flicks as Tipp coasted to victory.

He was Tipp’s best forward in the early period where they struggled against the Cats backs. O’Meara broke through and rattled in the first goal 10 minutes before the interval. Replaced at the midway point of the second-half.

Did his business from placed balls, finishing with 0-8. He was involved in the move for Callanan’s goal and scored two from play during the middle of the second-half as his side turned the screw.

Callanan scored a goal in his eighth successive championship game. Had a good battle with Huw Lawlor and his solo run set-up O’Dwyer’s green flag. He was particularly devastating in that third quarter spell. Looks like a frontrunner for Hurler of the Year.

McGrath made up for his semi-final red card with a three-point haul. He spent a good deal of time on the half-forward line and always looked dangerous. Made a stunning hook to deny Colin Fennelly an early goal and almost scored a goal of his own before Callanan turned the rebound into the net.