Tipperary manager Eamon O’Shea has backed his players to win future All-Irelands despite another agonising defeat to Kilkenny in today's final replay in Croke Park.
O’Shea’s outfit suffered more final heartbreak as Kilkenny claimed a 35th All-Ireland title by just three points.
The Premier manager felt Tipp were second-best but predicted a bright future for the county.
He told RTÉ Sport: “Kilkenny deserved the win. The game was played on their terms. When this game is played on someone's terms, they usually win and that is what happened today.
“There is always hope until the referee blows the final whistle. This team will always have hope. I think they have been on a great journey this year.
“They should be proud of themselves in terms of where they have come from and what they've brought to the party. I think they fought with honour.
“We were defeated today but the nucleus of this team will go on and win All-Irelands in my view.“
“I still have trust in them to be honest. We were defeated today but the nucleus of this team will go on and win All-Irelands in my view.
“They have great character. That's all I can say, we were beaten by a better team.
“The players are obviously shattered. We came up here to win, just as we did the last day.
“I’ve said to them - defeat - you just have to come back and do it again. That is what these guys will be trying to do.“
