Man-of-the-match Eoin Larkin notched nine points - all bar one from placed balls - as the Kilkenny men lifted the Tommy Moore Cup in style.

Level eight times in the first period, there was little between 'the Village' and Connacht champions Athenry, who themselves were bidding for a fourth All-Ireland crown since 1997.

It proved to be the Eoin Larkin and Eugene Cloonan show in the opening half-hour as, aided by whistle-happy Tipperary official Seamus Roche, the duo contributed 0-07 and 0-04 to their sides' tallies respectively.

On the restart, a Joe Murphy score sizzled Stephens into action in the Dublin 3 sunshine as Eoin McCormack, Richie Hayes and David McCormack tagged on further points for a 0-14 to 0-10 lead.

That gap proved insurmountable for the Tribesmen - despite inter-county star Cloonan's best efforts.

A Paul Hardiman foul on the advancing Eoin McCormack on 51 minutes handed Larkin his first glance at the Athenry goal, but sensibly he raised a white flag instead.

With the bread-and-butter scoring done, and armed with a 0-16 to 0-12 gap, 'Stephens cruised home to their third All-Ireland since 1976 on the back of three unanswered Eoin McCormack points.

Afterwards, captain Peter Barry - a rock in the 'Stephens defence - said: "I'm delighted to be standing here on behalf of a great, great club. Everyone thought it was only a dream but today the dream has become a reality."

JAMES STEPHENS: F Cantwell; D Cody, M Phelan, D Grogan; J Tyrrell, P Larkin, P Barry; P O'Brien (0-1), B McEvoy; J Murphy (0-1), E Larkin (0-9; 5f 2 65 1 pen), G Whelan; E McCormack (0-5), R Hayes (0-1), D McCormack (0-2).

Sub used: J Murray for Murphy (61 mins).

ATHENRY: M Crimmins; T Kelly, P Hardiman, J Feeney; B Higgins (0-1), B Feeney, S Donohue; L Howley, B Hanley (0-1); J Rabbitte (0-1), MJ Quinn (0-1), E Caulfield; D Moran (0-2), E Cloonan (0-6; 4f), D Donohue (0-2).

Subs used: D Burns for Caulfield (36 mins), D Carroll for Hanley (49), C O'Donovan for S Donohue (58).

Referee: Seamus Roche (Tipperary)