Waterford selector Dan Shanahan praised Galway as they won their first All-Ireland in 29 years at Croke Park on Sunday.
Shanahan also paid tribute to his own players who gave it their all but came up just short against the Tribesmen.
Speaking to Off the Ball's Oisin Langan after the game and asked if the better team had won, he said: "Yeah, I would say that. It's a bit hard to take to be honest with you but look, when you're beaten by a better team on the day and we performed at 90% of our thing - we were just beaten on their better day.
Galway’s Jack Canning and Joe Canning celebrate. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
"They're a fantastic team, a mature team so they are and it's hard to take but I have to say our lads gave it everything they had. When you can do that and the lads gave it everything - I've absolutely no problem.
"No one will ever tell me about these lads - they gave us everything for four years...I cannot emphasise that enough. They wore their hearts on their sleeves so they did and today was Galway's day.
"I suppose they brought that physicality to the game so they did but we matched them. They didn't blow us out of their way. They got a few scores maybe easier and one or two frees easier than we did if I'm being brutally honest.
"It's all about the players. In '08 we didn't perform and the lads did something today, they gave it everything they had...you have to lose one to win one. That doesn't feel like it in our dressing room - we're hurting, very hurting.
"Look, it's hard to take but we're gracious in defeat because Galway were just that bit better than us," he added.
The full post match interview can be heard here:
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