The 2011 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final took place in Croke Park, Dublin on Sunday, 4 September 2011.

[15] Prior to the senior final, Galway claimed the 2011 Minor Hurling Championship after a 1–21 to 1–12 win against Dublin.

[17] Kilkenny's Colin Fennelly was a major doubt for the final after picking up a hamstring injury in a club match.

In the 19th minute, a melee broke out, leading to the referee, Brian Gavin sustaining a cut on the nose, which had connected with Tommy Walsh's hurl.

In the 29th minute, Tipperary made their first substitution, bring on Brendan Maher in place of John O'Keeffe in an effort to strengthen their defence.

[22][23][24] Tipperary made two changes at half time, bring on Pa Bourke and Benny Dunne, and taking off Shane McGrath and Séamus Callanan.

In the 41st minute, Patrick Maher appeared through on goal, when JJ Delaney got in a flick to put the ball out over the endline for a 65.

Shefflin and Noel McGrath then exchanged points, before Lar Corbett fed the ball to Pa Bourke, who put it past David Herity, for Tipperary's first goal.

In the 59th minute, Colin Fennelly scored from a sideline cut, and Kilkenny made their first substitution, taking Eddie Brennan off and replacing him with T. J. Reid.

Noel McGrath then pointed from 50 metres and Eoin Kelly added another free, leaving the score 2–14 – 1–14 with six minutes left.

[22][23][24][25] Man of the Match: JJ Delaney Linesmen: Barry Kelly (Westmeath) John Sexton (Cork) Sideline Official Alan Kelly (Galway) Umpires The trophy was presented from the Hogan stand to Kilkenny captain Brian Hogan by GAA president Christy Cooney.

He was presented with his award by the GAA president Christy Cooney at the team's victory banquet at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin which was shown live as part of The Sunday Game on RTÉ Two.

[30] Former Tipperary manager Nicky English writing in The Irish Times said that "Kilkenny were by far the best team, with team being the operative word, and fully deserved their success, they were the masters in all areas and, from the word go, set out to dominate the physical exchanges just as much as they did in their pomp and in their glory years".

[42] Kilkenny's Michael Fennelly along with winning an All Star award was also named as the GAA GPA Hurler of the year.