LIAM SHEEDY came across the field struggling to contain a smile. Would he talk? Well, lads, a quick word.

"Very encouraging from our point of view," the Tipp manager noted. "Pleased with our work-ethic and work-rate through the field. It is something we have been training on and trying to get into our performances. There are a lot of similarities to last Sunday, our defence gave us the platform."

Sheedy was careful not to overestimate the hand he holds now. There is a lot of poker to be played in the next five months.

"The reality is we are together since November and have more work done. While Kilkenny were away celebrating last September's win, we were doing laps of Thurles. We are not getting carried away. It is still the middle of April. From our point of view, though, it is encouraging."

And the second half, when the game was as much one of attrition as striking?

"The challenge is to get the hits in training. If you do that in training you are ready in a match situation. It is a 33-man outfit. We have to get that intensity in training. That is what Kilkenny have. It is only April, but only two teams have survived in this league. Us and Galway. Whoever wins next Sunday, it is a long way to the middle of June and summer hurling. From our point of view we would give it a good crack."

Meanwhile, Kilkenny's players shuffled off hastily while manager Brian Cody loitered in the corridor outside. What would be said will be said in training come Tuesday. Their faces suggested they knew the timbre of the remarks. Cody was disappointed at missing out on a fourth successive league final appearance. It's best not to disappoint Brian Cody.

Well, Brian, we said, sobering?

He smiled thinly.

"We were sober at all times. At all times sober. Tipperary were excellent. They dominated. We had a few chances early we didn't take, we had wides and that, but Tipp dominated the game, their work-rate, their fitness and their hurling were terrific.

"I'm not surprised. They are a good team and have been good. They were too good for us.

"Easily our toughest test. It is no secret they have a huge amount done, and rightly so, a new management have come in and stamped their authority. They have great hurlers, and a terrific spirit married to that. No arguments. No questions.

"They brought more to the game than we did today. They were better."

And the issue of hunger? Had Tipp more of that too?

"It came across that way. They were busier, on to breaking ball quicker than we were. Of course that disappoints me. That's not what you want to see happening, but it happened.

"Where does it leave us? We got to a league final last year and lost it. We got to semi this year and lost. We didn't play any better in last year's league final than we played today. I'd say we are in a similar place."

Food for thought.