It wasn't entirely without reason that Kilkenny came into this year's Allianz Hurling League campaign without their usual fanfare.
A relatively early exit from last year's championship at the hands of Waterford, combined with the ever-diminishing number of players from the county's golden era, all served to leave Brian Cody's side looking like 'also-rans' in an increasingly competitive hurling environment.
After a slow start to this year's league campaign, Lar Corbett was one among many looking forward to seeing how Kilkenny could deal with the undeniable "question mark" that hung over Cody and his current crop of players.
Almost two months on, Cody's Kilkenny claimed their first league title since 2014, and, in doing so, thoroughly dominated an impressive Tipperary side with a staggering second-half performance.
Between both sides they have used an astonishing 69 (Kilkenny 35, Tipperary 34) players during this campaign.
When push comes to shove over the coming weeks and months, the aspirations of those counties who had seen a chink in the Kilkenny armour may well discover that rumours of their demise have been greatly exaggerated.
As was demonstrated in their second-half performance in today's final, Kilkenny looked a side not only boosted by their wealth in depth, but also a growing awareness of their ability to shift momentum when the tie required. Unafraid to hold the sliotar, slow the pace down, the hitherto free-scoring Tipperary were held to a relatively modest 2-17 today.
Having gone in behind at the half-way mark, barely 20 seconds had elapsed on their return before Walter Walsh got Kilkenny rolling.
Kilkenny's Walter Walsh with a brilliant goal to get the second half underway! pic.twitter.com/bAas3R4MDN
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 8, 2018
They'd never look back.
Although still heavily reliant on TJ Reid, Kilkenny were delivering on a facet of their attacking play that Cody has often highlighted the importance of; forwards winning their own ball.
Walsh again demonstrated his worth on the day meeting this Reid pass and slotting over from a tight angle on the sideline.
A fine score from Kilkenny's Walter Walsh! pic.twitter.com/Dp782zx8ZB
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 8, 2018
Conor Fogarty proved equally industrious in picking up on a loose ball and claiming a very impressive goal for Kilkenny.
Conor Fogarty with a cracking goal for Kilkenny! pic.twitter.com/ChhEohCjg7
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 8, 2018
Although Tipperary played a starring role nonetheless in a competitive league final in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny looked a side priming themselves for redemption; First we take Leinster, then we take the All-Ireland.
