2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final

At 3:30 p.m., match referee Willie Barrett tossed in the sliotar, kicking off the 112th Millennium All-Ireland final. The Kilkenny men threw themselves into the game from the start. Kilkenny's defenders and forwards were brutal in punishing Offaly errors, which were so uncommon in the late 1990s . [tone] D.J. Carey of Kilkenny pounced on an error by Offaly corner-back Niall Claffey to slam home Kilkenny's opening goal after only six minutes. Carey's sixth-minute goal was followed by a Henry Shefflin three-pointer three minutes later. Carey assisted Shefflin's goal, but the umpire determined that the ball had already crossed the line.The score was 2-3 to 0-1 in Kilkenny's favour after ten minutes. Offaly found its stride in the final twenty-five minutes of the first half, scoring seven additional points, five of which came from Johnny Dooley free throws. Michael Duignan's ground stroke sailed barely wide in the eighteenth minute, which was Offaly's only serious goal chance. Kilkenny, on the other hand, created multiple chances to add to their two early goals, and four minutes before halftime, Charlie Carter scored his third goal for 'the Cats.' Despite having eighteen scoring chances to Kilkenny's fifteen, 'the Cats' enjoyed a ten-point lead at the break, 3-10 to 0-9.

The Offaly selections made various tactical alterations at the start of the second half. Brian Whelahan and Michael Duignan switched places at wing-back and corner-forward, respectively, while John Troy was called up off the bench. These modifications had no effect on Kilkenny's dominance, as 'the Cats' appeared to be capable of scoring a goal at any point during the game. [did you conduct your own research?] Shefflin scored the fourth goal for the second time in as many games, latching on to a great long clearing from replacement Canice Brennan and kicking the ball past Stephen Byrne from close range. Offaly got a goal back in the 59th minute when Johnny Pilkington's shot flew past James McGarry. Kilkenny defeated their Leinster opponents 5-15 to 1-14 thanks to an injury-time goal by substitute Eddie Brennan. This game signalled the end of the road for Offaly's famous 1990s team, while it was the start of a successful decade for Kilkenny.

Match details:

MATCH RULES

• 70 minutes.
• Replay if scores level.
• Five named substitutes