Kilkenny's hurlers sent out a stark warning yesterday at Croke Park by posting their biggest ever senior championship win, and top-scorer Henry Shefflin believes: "we could be the team to beat."
The National League champions were on song at headquarters rattling 6-28 past a hapless Offaly side to progress to a Leinster SHC decider against holders Wexford next month.
The Faithfuls could only hit 0-15 - a tally beaten by Shefflin alone (2-11) - as Brian Cody's Cats racked up the records with a purr-fect display.
Following Kilkenny's sixth win-in-a-row over Offaly and first six-goal championship glut against the Faithfuls since 1943, star man Shefflin said: "I think we wanted to erase the memories of our defeat by Wexford in last year's semi-final.
"Believe me, that taught us a lesson. This game is not about who scores the most. I was just one of six forwards. I had a job to do, and thankfully, I did it," added the classy corner-forward, who lined out alongside Richie Power and legend DJ Carey at the head of Kilkenny's attack.
"Scoring is my job - Tommy Walsh laid on a lot of great passes to me.
"I know a hurling hiding like this is not good for any team but we wanted to win and we wanted to tell everyone we could be the team to beat this year."