Trailing by six points at half-time, the Rebels came roaring back to take the lead with a Setanta O Hailpin goal midway through the second half.

But a Martin Comerford goal five minutes from the end got Kilkenny back on track, and they finished with a flourish to retain their title.

"We were very worried at half-time," manager Brian Cody admitted.

"But we dug in and we did it, and it's just terrific. It was a savage battle."

Kilkenny were off the mark inside the opening 10 seconds when Tommy Walsh, an injury doubt before the start, swept over a point to set the tone for a dominant half for the champions.

Joe Deane responded with a Cork free, but the Leesiders failed to score for almost half an hour as the Cats purred with some classy hurling.

Walsh was running riot against Tom Kenny and Diarmuid O'Sullivan was having difficulty containing full forward Martin Comerford, who hit his side's third point after Henry Shefflin had shot the fist of his four first-half points from a free.

Further scores followed from Walsh, Shefflin and Comerford and by the 20th minute, Kilkenny led by eight points to one.

Both sides had goal chances, but Walsh blasted just wide at the end of a penetrating run, while James McGarry saved from Setanta O Hailpin at the other end.

Noel Hickey and JJ Delaney defended with discipline and composure any time Cork did threaten, but the Munster champions did begin to build some attacking momentum towards the end of the half.

Deane hit another free and Timmy McCarthy hit Cork's first point from play, but some wayward shooting saw them hit 11 wides, and they went in at the break trailing by 0-9 to 0-3.

But Cork were an inspired, rejuvenated side in the second half, and chipped away at the champions' lead with scores from Niall McCarthy, Joe Deane and Ben O'Connor, now joined by twin brother Jerry in the half forward line.

And when Ben O'Connor sent O Hailpin through for a 53rd minute goal, the sides were level.

Niall McCarthy eased Cork in front with a long range score, but like true champions, Kilkenny responded with quick-fire scores from Comerford and Shefflin.

Cody's side were firmly back in control when Comerford collected a Timmy McCarthy pass to find the net from close range, and while Cork did get late scores from subs Jerry O'Connor and Seanie McGrath, there was no way superb defenders JJ Delaney and Hickey were going to allow them through for the goal they needed.

Kilkenny: James McGarry, Michael Kavanagh, Noel Hickey, James Ryall, Sean Dowling, Peter Barry, JJ Delaney, Derek Lyng (0-1), Paddy Mullally, John Hoyne, Henry Shefflin (0-6, 4f), Tommy Walsh (0-3), DJ Carey, Martin Comerford (1-4), Eddie Brennan.

Subs: Conor Phelan for Walsh, Andy Comerford for Ryall, Richie Mullally for P Mullally.

Cork: Donal Og Cusack, Wayne Sherlock, Pat Mulcahy, Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Tom Kenny, Ronan Curran, Sean Og O'Hailpin, John Gardiner, Mickey O'Connell, Ben O'Connor (0-1), Niall McCarthy (0-2), Timmy McCarthy (0-1), Setanta O Hailpin (1-0), Joe Deane (0-5, 4f), Alan Browne.

Subs: Jerry O'Connor (0-1) for O'Connell, Seanie McGrath (0-1) for B O'Connor

Referee: Pat O'Connor (Limerick)