John Walsh bagged 2-5 from play, as Kilkenny claimed their 21st Electric Ireland All Ireland Minor Hurling title at Croke Park this afternoon.

Chasing a first title since 2010, Walsh delivered a Man of the Match performance, with both of his goals coming in the second half as the Cats took a four-point win.

It wasn't all one-way traffic, with the sides level on five occasions in the opening half, but Kilkenny claimed a 0-12 to 0-10 interval lead thanks to injury-time points from Alan Murphy and Walsh, and subsequently never lost that lead.

Murphy and Walsh were two key players for the Cats during the opening half, with Ronan and Cian Lynch, along with Barry Nash and Tom Morrissey keeping Limerick in touch.

Kilkenny moved four ahead early on the restart, but Limerick never gave up.

The Lynchs helped cut the gap to a point, but Walsh's first goal in the 40th minute drove Kilkenny on.

Just two points separated the sides with 10 minutes remaining, but Kilkenny drove on, and opened up a six point gap.

Limerick fought until the end with substitute Barry Murphy and Ronan Lynch taking fine points, but the Shannonsiders couldn't fine the goals they craved as Kilkenny claimed silverware.

Kilkenny: D Brennan; T Walsh, C Delaney, C McGrath; P Lyng, J Cleere, D Joyce; C Browne, L Scanlon (0-1); S Morrissey, R Butler, R Corcoran (0-3); A Murphy (0-6, 4f, 1 65), L Blanchfield (0-2), J Walsh (2-5). Subs: B Ryan for Butler (HT); E Kenny for Browne (38); A Gaffney for Corcoran (59).

Limerick: E McNamara; S Finn, P O'Loughlin, L Lyons; C Ryan, A La Touche-Cosgrave, C Byrnes; R Hanley, T Grimes; S Flanagan (0-2), B Nash (0-2), C Lynch (0-3); P Casey, T Morrissey (0-2), R Lynch (0-9, 6f, 2 65'). Subs: C Fitzgerald for Byrnes (16); E Doyle for Fitzgerald (HT); J Porter for Lyons (HT); B Murphy (0-1) for Grimes (53).