Man of the Match in the drawn final three weeks ago, Kilkenny's Richie Hogan returned to play his part in Saturday's All Ireland final win over Tipperary.
But as he told us tonight, the introduction to the year was not ideal.
"At the start of the year, I was in college in DCU, doing a Masters and I actually didn't have a whole lot of time. I got injured just after Christmas and I missed about 10 - 12 weeks of training. I got a knee injury and missed the start of the Walsh Cup and the league," said Hogan, who is currently struggling with flu and was replaced yesterday on 57 minutes by Henry Shefflin - a decision he is taking in his stride.
He felt the first game was played on Tipperary's terms and that the Cats imposed themselves in the replay.
"The last day we just decided that we are going to mark out men and play our own game," he said.
Hogan also spoke about stepping back and settling into his midfield role during the year.
"Having Conor Fogarty in beside me, and Lester Ryan earlier in the year was a huge help because the workrate of the two boys there was absolutely fantastic," he said.
Listen to the full interview below:
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