We’re underway and here are the teams…

Kilkenny: D Herity; J Tyrrell, JJ Delaney, N Hickey; T Walsh, B Hogan, P Murphy; P Hogan, M Fennelly; TJ Reid, M Rice, E Larkin; C Fennelly, R Power, M Ruth.

Tipperary: D Gleeson; D Maher, P Curran, M Cahill; S Maher, C O’Mahony, P Maher; B Maher, D Young; G Ryan, N McGrath, A Ryan; P Bourke, B O’Meara, J O’Brien.

Kilkenny 0-2 Tipperary 0-1: We’ve had our first two scores of the game, and TJ Reid almost scores the first goal of the game. Brendan Cummings spreads his massive frame, however, to keep the scores level. Richie Power is looking for his second score of the game and he is accurate.

Kilkenny 0-4 Tipperary 0-1: With so many retirements in the Cats’ ranks in recent weeks, players like Matthew Ruth have every chance to make names for themselves. He gets his first point of the game, with Michael Rice extending Kilkenny’s lead even further.

Reid, meanwhile, shoots wide.

Kilkenny 0-5 Tipperary 0-1: Another two points for Kilkenny, and we call tell you that it’s Galway 0-4 Dublin 0-2 at Pearse Stadium after 12 minutes.

Kilkenny 1-5 Tipperary 0-2: Michael Rice finds Richie Power with a crossfield ball and Power is taken out of it by the Premier defence. Penalty! Power steps up and makes no mistake. Three years in the league, you may recall, Tipp were 20 points down at half-time in a league clash between the two.

As I write that, Conor O’Mahony lands a stunning free-kick from all of 100 yards.

Kilkenny 1-5 Tipperary 0-3: Pa Bourke with a free as Tipp rally, while Noel McGrath misses with a shot from distance. Tipp have been better in the last five minutes, we may have a game here after all.

Kilkenny 1-5 Tipperary 0-5: Tipp have now amassed the last four scores, with McGrath scoring from play – taking a pass from Gearoid Ryan – and Bourke adding another free. Eoin Larkin misses from distance for Kilkenny, it drifts wide of Cummins’ goal.

Kilkenny 1-6 Tipperary 0-5: A free-in for Kilkenny and Richie Power hits it high and over the bar. 1-4 for the Cats forward so far today.

Meanwhile, it’s Galway 0-8 Dublin 0-6 at Pearse Stadium.

We’re getting somewhat distracted by events at the Emirates Stadium, but a glut of scores at Nowlan Park sees Kilkenny go five points ahead of Tipperary. It’s Kilkenny 1-9 Tipperary 0-7.

Every time Tipp look like clawing their way back into things, Richie Power and co. come roaring back.

David Herity stops a Tipperary effort on the line, as the referee blows the whistle for half-time. HT: Kilkenny 1-10 Tipperary 0-8.

Tipperary are playing  a little too directly and the Kilkenny defence is comfortable with that. The speed of the Cats’ play is quite a thing to behold.

The quality of the hurling, so early in the year, is impressive.

At Pearse Stadium, it’s Galway 0-9 Dublin 0-8.

We’re back. Herity nearly gets himself in trouble as fumbling a shot from Padraic Maher. Shane Bourke is on for Adrian Ryan for Tipperary.

No advance on the scoring at the start of the second half. TJ Reid has another shot from distance but it goes wide.

Did we say no advance? Wrong. Noel McGrath takes possession after a free-kick and lashes home. Kilkenny 1-10 Tipperary 0-9.

Paddy Hogan is penalised and Pa Bourke has a chance from distance. It looked like it was going but he nails it, and there’s now just a goal in it. Kilkenny 1-10 Tipperary 0-10.

Goal for Kilkenny! Eoin Larkin bulldozes his way through the Tipperary defence and, just as it looks like he’s missed his chance, he palms the ball into the goal. Brian Cody’s men follow that with a point from distance, and suddenly there’s a seven point difference. Kilkenny 2-11 Tipperary 0-10.

Donagh Maher is yellow carded for Tipp and Richie Power sends over the resultant free.

A rare missed effort from Richie Power, excelling in the absence of Henry Shefflin.

Tipp, meanwhile, are struggling without Lar Corbett and Eoin Kelly. It’s a young Tipperary team and nobody seems willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck.

Brendan Maher becomes just the fourth Tipperary player to register a score. 

Kelly, meanwhile, has been brought on by Declan Ryan.

A word for Colin Fennelly, who hasn’t scored but has contributed well throughout. He attacks and is fouled, with Richie Power making no mistake. It’s Kilkenny 2-13 Tipperary 0-11.

Meanwhile, it’s Galway 0-16 Dublin 0-11 at Pearse Stadium.

Tipperary nearly score their first goal of the match when Brian O’Meara barges forward before offloading to McGrath. The half-forward shoots low and wide, however…

Another booking for Tipp as Shane Maher is taken to task for fouling Larkin. Power steps up and puts nine points in the difference. Kilkenny 2-14 Tipperary 0-11.

Larkin, who is coming more and more into the game, seizes the ball, turns and points for Kilkenny. Just ten minutes remaining here at Nowlan Park.

Two stunning points for Tipp, from the left corner forward position, from substitute Shane Bourke. Without a goal it’s hard to see the Premier rescuing this match, but they have improved. Paul Curran has gone off injured.

Tommy Walsh makes it two interceptions in a row for Kilkenny as he sends the ball back into the Tipp half. Brave play. Kilkenny 2-15 Tipperary 0-14.

Richie Power has been so accurate today. Another free. Another point.

Shane Bourke counters with another point from a seemingly impossible angle. He has done incredibly well in just twenty minutes – some good news for Declan Ryan and selectors. Kilkenny 2-16 Tipperary 0-15.

Time is almost up and Tipp will regret pumping high ball after high ball at a Cats defence well marshalled by Tommy Walsh.

Another point for Richie Power, the 26-year-old taking his personal tally to 1-12 for the game…

The match is over, it has finished Kilkenny 2-17 Tipperary 0-15.

Thanks for keeping up…