Kavanagh sees the gap closing

Watch Kilkenny v Tipperary live on RTÉ Two and RTÉ.ie (IoI) this Sunday from 12.45pm. The show begins with live coverage of the MHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Galway. Live updates throughout the day on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport, while we'll have live text commentary here on RTÉ.ie as well as post-match reaction, images, video and audio.

Kilkenny's long-serving corner back Michael Kavanagh believes the gap between the reigning All-Ireland champions and the rest has closed significantly this season.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's bid for a fourth successive Liam McCarthy triumph, Kavanagh said: 'This has been the toughest campaign we've come through in the four years. We got a serious test from Galway in Tullamore, Dublin put it up to us and then Waterford threw everything at us.

'The quality of opposition has certainly improved. Leinster was strengthened greatly by Galway, and Dublin are making great strides.'

'I don't think we were ever that far ahead of the pack. In that respect, some of the league games were misjudged as regards some of the scorelines. I think our league wins over Tipp and Cork had too much written about them.

'Judging ourselves on last year, we haven't hit top gear this year. We're not flying it but we're doing enough. But if you're judging it on 2008, it's very hard to get back to those heights.

'Realistically you're not going to get back to that kind of form. But I do feel that we're well-equipped now and certainly battle-hardened after the season. The winning feeling is something we've grown used to and we don't want to give it up now.'

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