An emotional Anthony Daly paid tribute to all stakeholders in Dublin hurling after their historic Allianz League final win over Kilkenny in Croke Park on Sunday.
The Dublin manager inspired his side to the 0-22 to 1-07 win over the Cats for a first league crown since 1939.
He said: ‘We worked awful hard but now the targets have to be raised. Today is for the lads and it is also for all the people who put in the work.
‘Everyone knows the work and time and all the effort that went into promoting hurling in Dublin. This is a payback for those lads.’
Daly revealed he considered walking away from the job after disappointing defeats to Kilkenny and Antrim last season.
‘This was a long time to be waiting. I suppose last July I felt like walking away from it and felt that we didn't have enough character.
'But when we decided to go back at it I asked everyone to display a bit of character.
'Right since we went back at the start of the year we upped the training and made more demands on them.
'To a man they responded. It is a nice bit of a reward today.'
Dublin can now look forward to their Leinster Hurling Championship clash with Offaly later this month and Daly is already targeting more success in the summer.
'Obviously here is a Championship ahead which is more important but you can’t scoff at league when you haven’t been in a league final since 1946.
'It is a huge lift in confidence. If we can help to drive it on to the next level, then great.
'We will enjoy tonight and then get our minds trained in on the Faithful coming to Dublin on 29 May.
'We have to be ready for that and we will be ready for that.
'You have to try to get players to believe they can play at this level and the only way to do it is days like this.'
