Eoin Kelly has seen the good and the bad days in a most illustrious career in the Tipp jersey, but, the captain of the current squad had no hestitation in stating after the game that Sunday’s titanic clash was “the most intense” he ever played.

Eoin whose vast experience was yet again of paramount importance to a relatively young Tipp squad- he finished with a high tally of 1-7 (1-1 from play- said that he had “an unbelievable feeling” after playing in a hurling classic. “You train in the gym for what is a physical contact sport, and out there today you had one of the greatest high-intensity games I have ever played in.” said Eoin. He told me- It must have been some game to watch. Players (from all counties) train for that type of game, and they love to be part of it. We are thrilled to come out of it with a win, but you would have to feel sorry for Galway. I know a lot of the boys (Galway players) from our college days, and I know they are great hurlers, great sportsmen. We had a great battle out there today, hard knocks given and taken, and we shook hands at the end.That is what makes hurling so special.

The Mullinahone maestro believes that Tipp’s experience of playing “high intensity games in Croke Park” helped them on Sunday. “We were here last September in a fierce battle with Kilkenny and the experience of that game to us, especially our younger players, was great. I think that showed in the closing stages when Galway looked like they had it. Galway had a 2 point lead, but I suppose Tipp didn’t panic.They stuck at it and things came right. Pa (Bourke) really impressed with the way he took on the Galway defence, and Lar’s (Corbett) point that made all the difference was special” he said.

Asked if the ‘qualifiers’ route helped Tipp’s recovery process after the defeat to Cork, Eoin commented- I suppose we weren’t fully tested in the games (Wexford and Offaly) but it was important to get back on track and put the Cork defeat behind us. The matches served us well, but I suppose we would have loved had we won the Munster championship. This game gave us a big opportunity to redeem ourselves and answer our critics. It was a massive experience. I know it was touch and go in the end, but, to come out of a real physical battle with a victory like that is a great boost to us” the affable Eoin opined.

Eoin was quick to add a word of caution. “Today we won a cracking match, but its over now and we have another huge challenge ahead of us in three weeks time. We are going through a fierce tough championship and the focus must now be on the Waterford game. That is the one that matters now” he said.

Meanwhile right corner-back Paddy Stapleton (Borris-Ileigh) who enhanced his growing reputation with another fine display in defence said that “questions were asked of Tipp’s character” after the loss to Cork. “Today was the day we had to prove ourselves and we were pleased that we came out on the right side of a huge test.