All-conquering Kilkenny were made look vulnerable, but still had too much craft for a determined Dublin in yesterday’s Leinster SHC final at Croke Park.

The Cats, who captured the provincial crown for the 66th time, had Martin Comerford to thank for victory as his two goals helped separate the sides in front of a crowd of 29,427.

Dublin’s game plan of deploying an extra defender, John McCaffrey, worked well to subdue their vaunted opponents, but a goal in each half from Comerford was decisive.

The first came in the 16th minute as he took full advantage of indecision in the Dublin defence to speed through on goal and kick to Gary Maguire’s net.

The deadball accuracy of Alan McCrabbe, as well as some resolute defending, had the Dubs in contact at the break, 1-10 to 0-7.

The Dubs made a terrific start to the second-half and points from Alan McCrabbe (2) and the David Treacy cut the deficit to a goal.

Kilkenny broke Dublin’s momentum with a Comerford point before McCrabbe responded with a free.

Fourteen minutes from time came the match-winning goal when Comerford was released through the heart of the Dublin defence by Michael Rice and he outsprinted the cover before cleverly placing the ball to the net over the head of Maguire.

Eight minutes later Henry Shefflin was denied from the penalty spot when Maguire got his stick to the ball.

It was a goal Dublin needed late in the game, but could never really unlock the Kilkenny defence, who remain on track to become the first team since Christy Ring’s Cork in the 1940s to win the Liam MacCarthy Cup for four years in succession.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; M Kavanagh, JJ Delaney, J Tyrrell; T Walsh (0-1), J Tennyson, J Dalton; D Lyng (0-2), M Rice (0-1); H Shefflin (0-6, 6f), M Comerford (2-4), E Larkin (0-2); E Brennan (0-1), R Power, A Fogarty (0-1). Subs: TJ Reid for Power (51 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Brennan (62)

DUBLIN: G Maguire; N Corcoran, T Brady, O Gough; S Hiney, J Boland (0-1), M Carton; J McCaffrey, S Durkin; D Treacy (0-3), L Ryan, K Flynn (0-1); D O’Callaghan (0-1), L Rushe, A McCrabbe (0-12, 7f, 1 ‘65’, 1 sideline). Subs: D Curtin for Durkin (50), S Lambert for Flynn (50), D Sweeney for Ryan (56), P Carton for Rushe (64), R O’Carroll for McCrabbe (64).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).