Liam Cahill paid tribute to his Tipperary players after they put the misery of 2024 behind them by securing progression from Munster with a hard-fought win over Waterford.
This time last year, the Premier had already been eliminated, and they finished Cahill's second season in charge with just one point from four games.
But Sunday's 1-30 to 1-21 victory at Semple Stadium ensured they finish with a five-point haul, the only defeat coming at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where they played the whole game with 14 men after Darragh McCarthy's dismissal.
Tipp could even contest a first provincial final in four years if the Déise can get a result against Cork next weekend.
"We're still far from the finished article but we’re going the right direction," Cahill told RTÉ Sport,
"It has been difficult enough at times. But the key here is the players: the way they have gone about their business, in fixing little areas that weren't where we needed to be 12 months ago.
"A lot of transition in the squad as well, with newer players et cetera. But a few experienced heads still there to keep the culture that’s required to play at this level.
"We're fortunate that there’s plenty of talent in Tipperary. Our Under-20s [retaining Munster] during the week… It’s a really difficult job to make sure you’re not pushing these lads too soon.
"I said from the start of the National League that it was going to have be a brave year for Tipp, from the top right through to the players, management and coaches.
"Thankfully, fortune favours the brave. We’re delighted to be one of the three out of Munster. Congratulations to everybody that has been involved."
Match highlights:
Noel McGrath has won three All-Ireland medals and four Munsters but he admitted it was "a special moment".
"There’s no point in playing it down," said the 34-year-old. "Twelve months ago we were in a totally different place.
"The way everyone has rolled up their sleeves this year and come back, got to where we are now, we are delighted.
"Your aim is to get out of Munster. It’s so hard, it’s so competitive."
Tipp shipped an early goal to go 1-03 to 0-01 down against Waterford, and it looked like the visitors would extend an unbeaten streak in this fixture dating back to 2019.
But they fought back to lead 0-16 to 1-10 by half-time, and pulled clear again after the visitors had drawn level with 20 minutes remaining.
"The resilience of our team, sticking to the plan, we were able to figure our way out of it and at times hurling our way through it," said Cahill.
"Michael Beavins, Declan Laffan, [former Kilkenny goalkeeper] David Herity, coaching on the field has been exemplary this year.
"There has been total buy-in from the players and most importantly total trust.
"The players now are taking brilliant ownership on the field and I think the supporters in the stand are acknowledging that too.
"When they look at a group of players representing the jersey like that, it gives everybody a lift."
Waterford manager Peter Queally said he was "very disappointed" his team "didn’t kick on after the great start that we had."
"We had massive aspirations coming into this game. Our form was really good. Unfortunately, on the day, we just came up against a better Tipperary team. I thought they were excellent.
"We probably missed a lot of chances in the first half. Our conversion rate wasn’t high and I felt they took all their chances. That was probably the difference in the end.
"We had momentum, we brought it back level and had the elements at our back. But in fairness to Tipperary, they were in the same position last week [against Clare] and they upped the ante and got the deserved win in the end."
His team are still in it, however - beat Cork for a second successive year and they will take their highly fancied hosts' knock-out place.
And both sides will have had the same amount of recovery time, unlike when Waterford had to face a better-rested Limerick six days after their win over Clare.
"Whether you win or lose, you can’t dwell on it," said Queally.
"Cork are going to be in the exact same boat, seven days to turn around. The playing field will be level and it should be a great game next Sunday."
