Brian Cody was going for his 12th All-Ireland on Sunday afternoon. It was his chance to get revenge on Liam Sheedy for stopping his five-in-a-row back in 2010.
In the 33rd minute of this game, as former Hurler of the Year Richie Hogan was sent off for a straight red card, Cody's chances of revenge began to diminish.
Tipperary only led by a point at half-time but then an exhibition-style performance from their forwards after the break saw it finish up 3-25 to 20 points.
Second-half goals from captain Séamus Callanan and John O'Dwyer really sank Kilkenny's ship.
The result makes Liam Sheedy only the second-ever manager in the Cody era to win two Hurling All-Ireland's.
The Kilkenny boss gave his reaction after the game as his 20th season in management came to a close.
"The first half was a very,very competitive, we played very,very well.
"We had a bit of a lead at one stage and they got a goal and brought it back.
"There was absolutely nothing in it, it looked like it was going to go right to the very end but obviously, Richie got sent off just before half-time which very definitely impacted upon the game.
"We weren't fancied to take them on 15 on 15 so to ask us to do it 14 against 15 for the whole second half was a huge ask.
"I wasn't expecting a red card, I was very, very close to it. The referee didn't really know either because he spent ages trying to make his mind up about it. I think you'd want to be very sure in your own head if you're going to issue a red card. "
There has been much speculation recently on whether Cody will remain on at the helm in the Kilkenny set up with talk of former players Henry Shefflin and Eddie Brennan as possible replacements.
He didn't address this after the game and perhaps a winter to reflect will paint a clearer picture as to the future of the Cats management.
He did speak though of the nature of the defeat and difficulty it presents for players in the dressing room.
"You fight it out to the very end when the final whistle goes. You win or you lose and we didn't win so you've got to do these things.
"Huge disappointment to lose an All-Ireland final and that's our dressing room for today."
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