Limerick manager, John Kiely has hailed the resolve of his players, following their triumph over Waterford in the All-Ireland hurling final.
The Shannonsiders comfortably beat Waterford by 11 points to claim their second All-Ireland championship in three years.
After extreme disappointment last year, Kiely believes the players deserve credit for the determination they showed to return and make amends in a unique and challenging year.
Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile"Last year was a huge disappointment for us," Kiely said, during his post-match scrum with the media.
"To come back straight away and the resolve that [this team] have shown, the determination they have shown and the appetite for work they have shown is immense."
This generation of Limerick players are supremely talented, as well as being relatively young.
There is a sense that they could dominate inter-county hurling for a long time, following a flawless year which saw Limerick remain unbeaten in the league and in the championship.
Despite that talent, the characteristic that defines them best is hard work. Kiely was keen to emphasise that very fact.
Unparalleled Limerick workrate
"Listen, as much as you can have a plan coming into a game, we had very high expectations of ourselves in terms of how hard we wanted to work on the day," Kiely continued.
"I think the players delivered on that in spades. They worked really, really hard from start to finish, right across the pitch.
"It was a very defiant performance. Whatever was fired at the boys they found a way to cope.
"Going forward we showed fantastic teamwork in terms of our support running and our lines of running, creating wave after wave of attack," he concluded.
Photo by Daire Brennan/SportsfileWaterford were defiant in their own right and will take solace in their superb run in the championship, that included a semi-final victory over Brian Cody's Kilkenny.
Kiely gave Waterford their due respect, highlighting the fact that Liam Cahill's men pushed Limerick to the limit on the day, especially in the early going.
"There was huge resistance put up against us and we still manage to get the score [early on]. I think that set the tone for us.
"Overall, I am very proud of the lads. They have worked so, so hard."
Ultimately, this Limerick side are on a different level to the competition at the moment. As the dust settles on a strange year, others will reflect on how to conquer this excellent team.
It will be a huge challenge for the competing pack, and judging by the high level of performance, and Kiely's personal drive, Limerick will be back next year to defend the Liam McCarthy Cup fiercely.
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