Temperatures scorched Croke Park today as Limerick completed their first ever three-in-a-row of All-Ireland senior hurling championship titles.

Captain Declan Hannon became the first man to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup four times after the reigning champions ran out 1-31 to 2-26 winners against Kilkenny in a sensational and breathless final.

John Kiely's side were 1-17 to 0-16 up at half-time, the outstanding Gearoid Hegarty latched on to a long-range free from goalkeeper Nickie Quaid and fired to the top left corner of Eoin Murphy's net on four minutes.

They built on that blistering start with Hegarty, Diarmaid Byrnes, Aaron Gillane and Seamus Flanagan all tacking on points in reply to efforts by TJ Reid, Martin Keoghan, Eoin Cody and Adrian Mullen - scores were at a premium throughout.

Limerick captain Declan Hannon and injured team-mate Cian Lynch lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup. ©INPHO/James Crombie.

It marks their fourth All-Ireland success in five years and eleventh overall, while the Cats still lead the way on 36 titles, Brian Cody's men have now lost three finals since last winning one in 2015.

Having trailed by six points at one stage in the opening half, two stunning goals by Billy Ryan and Martin Keoghan on 38 and 47 minutes, respectively, had Kilkenny firmly back in contention.

Talisman Reid hit nine points from frees for the Cats, as they threw everything at the holders and drew level (1-26 to 2-23) thanks to substitute Richie Hogan's sublime point with seven minutes of normal-time remaining.

Cody's side battled all the way to the finish but couldn't do enough to prevent Limerick - led by their magnificent half-forward line - Gearoid Hegarty (1-5), Kyle Hayes (0-4) and Tom Morrissey (0-4) - asserting five points clear in injury-time.

Relive how the action unfolded in our All-Ireland final match tracker.

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