Brian Cody praised both teams after Waterford beat his Kilkenny side in an epic match at Semple Stadium on Saturday.
Extra-time was required to separate the two teams after a late comeback from the Cats enthralled a crowd of over 35,000 in Thurles.
Speaking to Newstalk Sport's Oisin Langan after the match, he said: "They dominated longer periods of the game than we did but what our lads put into the comeback was just phenomenal really. You know, everybody was just waiting for the final whistle to blow and the game was over.
"Waterford had it won but our lads just refused to lie down and showed tremendous character and tremendous spirit. And, everything that's good about a team - they showed it tonight and I've terrific respect for the way they did it.
TJ Reid scores a goal. Image: ©INPHO/Tommy Dickson
"The last thing when we had that momentum towards the end of normal time, definitely the last thing we needed was a break. The big thing is that what they needed more than anything was a break...for them to regroup.
"Our lads were really driving at that stage but that's the game like, the final whistle came and in extra-time, they regrouped well. I suppose the momentum they were able to rediscover and there was some very good hurling.
"They were more consistent in their play over the 90 minutes than we were. The resilience we showed and the determination we showed are the hallmarks that every team has to have.
Asked whether his team are in transition and if a few players were carrying injuries, he said: "I'm not even going to discuss injuries because that doesn't come into it. If you start talking about injuries it's like you have a reason for losing. The only reason you ever have for losing is because the other team is better than you.
"I mean we had 15 players starting, they had 15 players starting so it's not a question of who we might have had or who we didn't have - Waterford played Kilkenny...and they beat us and that's it," he added.
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