Kelly: 'The hurt made us hungry'

Tipperary captain Eoin Kelly claims that the number of leaders on the team was the reason they recovered from last year's final defeat, and the defeat to Cork in this year's Munster Championship, to claim their 26th All-Ireland Hurling title.

Speaking to RTÉ's Martin Kiely, the Mullinahone native said it was a very special feeling to captain the team to victory over Kilkenny.

'It is very special, but I have said before that we don't have just one leader on this Tipperary team, we have numerous leaders. That's the reason why we came back to contest this year's All-Ireland final after being beaten last year.

'It is definitely a great honour (to captain the team), and I am hoping that this will inspire young kids in my own club, and all over Tipperary in general.

'It is a special day for my family too. I was no different to any other young fella, and my parents always backed me in everything I wanted to do regarding club hurling with Mullinahone and with Tipperary.

'I would encourage any parent (to be supportive) if their children want to go to a summer camp or a training session with the club. Get them up there because when you get involved in sport you make friends for life and that's the important thing.

'We beat Kilkenny but they were the first guys we met afterwards and it was all handshakes. Some of us went to school together and some of the girlfriends know each other that way.

'Once you are involved in sport you have a healthy outlook on life.'

Speaking about the win over Kilkenny, and their Championship campaign overall, Kelly added: 'We were driven men. I think we out-fought Kilkenny. The hunger was there from last year. We got goal chances this year and we took them. 12 months ago we did not take those chances.

'Coming out of Páirc Uí Chaoimh on the 30 May we doubted ourselves. We were annihilated that day all over the field. We had a few words together the following Tuesday night and we said that we had not become a bad team overnight. There are young players in the squad who are well able to play and, thankfully, they got their chance through the qualifiers and they were the lads who lined out in the final.

'When the final whistle blew all I felt was relief. I was there in 2001, along with a few more of this year's squad, as a 19-year-old and I did not fully appreciate or understand the significance of it. Now we understand the hurt of defeat, but, because of that, we are also able to join in the ecstasy of victory.'

And the Tipperary captain is looking forward to taking Liam McCarthy Cup back to where it all began on Tuesday night.

'One of my biggest joys on the hurling field was winning the county final with my club in 2002. Winning it with guys you went to school with. Guys who you never saw winning anything, playing junior with the club. To see them win a senior county title was massive.

'They will be very, very happy with this All-Ireland win, and I am looking forward to bringing the cup to Mullinahone on Tuesday night.'