Thrilled Moore says it was all about hunger, workrate and heart

For 10 years, they got knocked about in the Munster Championship before that particular experiment was abandoned and Galway’s retreated to their decaying kingdom of Connacht in 1969.

Another 40 years would pass before they braved a stab at hurling’s other great provincial pillar and a further three years of hardship and heartache followed before Fergal Moore claimed possession of the Bob O’Keeffe Cup yesterday afternoon.

After all that, it was hardly a surprise to catch up with him under the tunnel of the Hogan Stand an hour or so later and find the Galway captain was still clutching the bulbous Leinster trophy tightly to his bosom.