Tipperary advance to the Munster SHC final after their two point victory over Limerick at Semple Stadium this afternoon.
Michael Ryan's side were forced to play the majority of the game with 14 men after John O'Dwyer was dismissed on 14 minutes, but commanded proceedings for the most part.
They got off to a lightning start when midfielder Michael Breen netted twice in the opening eight minutes of the game to give the Premier County a sizable lead early on in the game, one which they would not relinquish.
"I'm thrilled, delighted for all of the lads," said Ryan after the game.
"I think they showed great composure and great character out there, as you'd need to show regardless to get a win over Limerick in a Munster semi-final.
"I think regardless of whether it was 14 men or 15 men we'd have to shown exactly what we did today. I'm really proud of the lads. We place huge value on the prize here today. The Munster final is worth a huge amount to the people down here.
"The work rate and attitude from the lads was super. All of the time we were waiting for bodies to tire but I think they found more energy within themselves. I thought they were outstanding, but let's not get carried away. This is a Munster semi-final, in three weeks time we have to turn around and play, as far as I'm concerned, probably the most serious opponents in Munster [Waterford]."
The sending off in the first half may have impacted on the way the team set-up but in terms of the effect on the players, Ryan says they stood up and took responsibility in the second half.
"Half time in those circumstances is not normal. In fairness to the players, they took it over. By the time I needed to speak to them, it was literally just to wish them the best in the second half. These boys are mature, I think we can all acknowledge that. They have a lot of experience and a lot of hard experience so I think that would have shown out there today.
"The sending off was a curveball, but it didn't derail them. They knew what they had to do straight away."
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