Galway needed to be in touch as the game entered the crucial last ten minutes but they faded badly when they needed to kick on, having impressed when leading by three points at half-time.

It was without doubt the game of the year. The picture of the Tipp players prostrate on the ground as Galway celebrated said it all. The Premier came up just short and Galway won because they stubbornly refused to be beaten.

I was impressed by how comfortable Tipperary were against Waterford in the Munster final. 

The game panned out more or less as I expected. Waterford put in a spirited challenge and were never fully out of the game but Kilkenny’s class up front told in the second half.

Like all good teams, whatever the sport, Kilkenny set up to be very difficult to beat. 

If Cork fans were told before the game that Galway would strike 23 wides to seven for the Rebels, they would have rubbed their hands in anticipation.

Waterford weren’t as sharp against Tipp as they were earlier in the spring. They’re training since last autumn. Fatigue can surreptitiously seep into a losing dressing room.

Victories are often glossed over while defeats are analysed intently. So how will Waterford react to their first loss of 2015?

Jeff Reinebold features as an analyst on Sky’s NFL coverage. He is fond of a fickle character who inevitably helps the winning team from a vital juncture in the game. He calls him Mr Mo Mentum.

The sun shone but there had been a significant breeze all day.