The Cats stormed from behind to win an epic by 5-14 to 5-13.

It took an injury time point from last year's hurler of the year Henry Shefflin to secure victory and mark back to back titles for the reigning All Ireland champions.

Tipperary started the better of the two teams but it was Shefflin who scored the first of the game's 10 goals after 12 minutes.

Lar Corbett scored Tipp's first goal only four minutes later but by half time an Eoin Kelly goal saw Tipp lead 2-9 to 1-7.

Early second half goals from John Carroll and Corbett put Tipp eight points clear but two goals from Kilkenny substitute Charlie Carter reduced the deficit to just two points with little time left.

Eddie Brennan then scored 1-1 in the last five minutes to see Kilkenny take a two-point lead but Carroll netted again for Tipp.

However Shefflin struck a free and then was on hand to kick the winning point from 14 yards out and retain the league title for the Cats.