Man-of-the-match Corbett hails team display

Yesterday's All-Ireland SHC final man-of-the-match Lar Corbett heaped praise on his team-mates after Tipperary ended their nine-year wait to bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup 'home.'

Corbett was the hat-trick hero for the Premier County side as they wrecked Kilkenny's five in-a-row dream. Although his scoring contribution was hugely significant in the 4-17 to 1-18 win, the Thurles Sarsfields clubman was as modest as ever about picking up the personal accolade.

"At the end of the day it's great to get the win," he said when receiving his award at the post-match banquet last night.

"What it comes down to is the work-rate of everyone else on the field today. That's what it really comes down to."

Corbett was keen to praise players like Noel McGrath and Patrick 'Bonnar' Maher who ensured he was set up nicely to deliver some cracking goals which kept Tipp on top yesterday.

"I was speaking to the boys after the match and if you saw the pass that Noel McGrath gave for the second goal - there's not too many players in hurling who can give passes like that.

"I suppose for the third one there, 'Bonnar' Maher, that's what he does best. He got a ball he shouldn't have got, was on the flat of his back, he got up and handpassed it out.

"It makes everyone else's job that bit easier when the work is done.

"The boys did the hard work and I was lucky enough to be at the end of it and that's what it comes down to."

Corbett, along with players such as goalkeeper Brendan Cummins and captain Eoin Kelly, were involved when Tipperary last claimed the All-Ireland SHC title back in 2001.

The 29-year-old attacker reckons that this win is even sweeter for the county after bridging such a long gap between titles.

"It is extra special I suppose, In 2001 we were probably on a void in that we didn't know what it was all about.

"We didn't know exactly what it took to win an All-Ireland back then. We were lucky enough at the time. The last seven or eight years, the work that has gone in has been unbelievable.

"It makes it extra special when you see that the years have slipped by, but delighted to be here tonight after such a great win."