Limerick's Kyle Hayes paid tribute to Kilkenny after his side claimed the Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland Hurling title on Saturday.
It finished 0-17 to 0-11 to the men from the Treaty County and speaking to Off the Ball's Oisin Langan after the match, Hayes said: "In fairness to Kilkenny - they're not a pushover. We came out of the blocks very strong and worked very hard all over the shop. In fairness to them - they put up a good fight.
"They're a big physical side as well - they did give us plenty of it and hopefully we'll meet them next year as well.
"Our forwards worked extremely hard. They were getting in hooks, blocks, half-hooks and it made the backs' jobs easier then because their forwards are very dangerous.
Asked about the amount of possession he caught, he simply replied: "It was a bit of luck really. It was the way it kind of dropped - the wind came my way.
Kilkenny's Michael Cody tackles Aaron Gillane of Limerick. Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
"We just went man-to-man. We never set out to put a sweeper on. Every team that played us put a sweeper in so we just went man-to-man to see how we'd get on.
"It was slippy out there and lucky enough during it that it was sunny but the ground was slippy enough.
"It's exhilarating and a long time coming. Hopefully a lot more to come for senior level as well," he added.
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