Shefflin: Fear factor drove us on

Henry Shefflin admits a fear of losing to Tipperary on their home patch was a major incentive in Saturday’s qualifier victory.

The 2012 hurler of the year, who came on as a late substitute in his first appearance of the year, recognised that concern about losing the bragging rights to their biggest rivals had weighed on Kilkenny minds.

“Of course, it did. There’s no point in saying otherwise. It would have given Tipperary great motivation coming down here to try and beat us. It works both ways.