Cody says final win is most satisfying yet

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody revealed that this afternoon's All-Ireland SHC final win was the most satisfying of the eight they have picked up during his managerial term.

The Cats were crowned All-Ireland champions for the 33rd time following their a four-point win over Tipperary, and Cody was delighted to reclaim the Liam MacCarthy Cup from the Premier County.

"Winning an All-Ireland final on any given day is just a supreme feeling and I would always say the present one is the best because it is the only one I can feel right now," he said.

"But, being honest, this is by far our best performance without any shadow of a doubt."

Kilkenny entered this game as the challengers rather than the champions, an unusual circumstance for Cody's men, and many were predicting that the underdogs would not prevail today.

"I think it is phenomenally satisfying because for the past five years we have been coming into All-Ireland finals expected to win them to an extent and favourites with bookies and yourselves (the media) and the rest of it.

"It was very much the reverse this year. Tipperary were the champions and deservedly so. We were questioned very much about whether the thing was over for us.

"We were seriously in a different place completely in the expectation levels of everybody and we faced an enormous challenge because Tipperary are outstanding champions and have been turning on serious style and skill and exhibitions since then. Their ability to hurt you is immense.

"I would say that the level we have played at this year up to now wouldn't have been at all sufficient to win today. It took a phenomenal effort from everybody since the All-Ireland semi-final to get together and decide where we were going and what we were at and take on challenge, face up to challenge, of taking on the All-Ireland champions.

"To do that and to do it successfully was a nice achievement for the players."

Kilkenny opened up a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after 15 minutes, and Cody says a positive start was most crucial.

"I think we got into the game very quickly, very, very early and that obviously was what we had hoped for and worked towards," he admitted.

"We had planned seriously well for the game and I think the players applied themselves magnificently to the job at hand.

"For players it is a job really and every player has to take a huge responsibility for every act he produced on the field.

"That was glaringly obvious throughout the whole thing. It is a question of just giving yourself totally to the team.

"There was great closing down, great hunting in packs and you could see that. The hurling was really gratifying as well. We combined very, very well. It wasn't just a case of 'beat the ball up the field' kind of stuff.

"It was very, very intelligent hurling, it was good hurling and obviously we were aware that nothing less would be enough."