SURELY NOT every Tipperary team that enjoyed a league success down the years found itself serenaded by the people, but the songs and joy were heartfelt here. After an uncertain few years of conflict and self-doubt, there is a feeling in Tipperary that the team are on the right track again.

Liam Sheedy is too prudent to start making big predictions based on a bit of April happiness, but he was genuine in his appreciation for the effort his team have given him this year.

"I think the tight matches we had against Clare, Waterford, Kilkenny, we have a bit of resolve now. It was a funny game because there were periods of dominance for players and periods of dominance for teams. We had some guys who didn't burn in the first half who took off in the second half.

"But I am delighted the guys on the panel have a bit of silverware and we will enjoy this tonight. But we will be under no illusions."

In the end, it was tighter than he might have guessed when Willie Ryan and Séamus Butler pushed his team into a seven-point lead. Galway seemed to be wilting then, but, as has been the form throughout this league, Sheedy had to endure an anxious few seconds before the final whistle. But in his immediate review, he was inclined to think that opening up that sizeable lead had been the crucial development in the match.

"The seven points gave us a bit of breathing space. I think that gap might have been the turning point. Séamus Butler has exceptional pace and he picked some great scores at vital stages.

"What I am most happy about is the overall team performance, though."

The pace and mental demands of this final left Ger Loughnane with much to ponder.

"The first thing I would say is the better team won. We were hanging in more than we should have been. I know we gave away some very easy scores. I felt after the Cork game we had a lot of work to do.

"There are five or six positions we need to sort out in the next 10 weeks to be real challengers in these big games. But the great thing about today was that there was no loss of heart. I felt it was a real high-class game.

"And it was disappointing to lose but it is better to lose in April than later on."

Even in defeat, the famous grin returned as he discussed Joe Canning's astonishing goal, but before too long he was back to brooding about the tricky business of discovering the right concoction to make this Galway team perform in the manner everyone believes they ought to.

"Today showed that Joe as well has a lot to learn," he counselled. "Everyone needs to produce the type of Damien Hayes-all-action display if they are to survive in the modern game of hurling. And remember, of the two teams playing today, the most they could be is third and fourth in the hierarchy at the moment. We know we have a lot to do before the summer time comes in 10 or 12 weeks."