Tipperary forward John O'Dwyer insists he isn't phased by the challenge that awaits his side in the All-Ireland hurling final and vowed that the Premier County would focus solely on themselves in the build-up to the game.
Michael Ryan's side secured a hard-fought victory over Galway today to set up a final meeting with defending champions Kilkenny.
Speaking after the game, O'Dwyer admitted that his side were preparing for an extremely tough game.
"It was a serious battle, but we expected nothing else coming up here against Galway," he told Newstalk Sport's Oisin Langan. " Last year was a serious battle as well.
"That's what you'll get against Galway, they're a very physical team. They play hurling and then their defence stops you from playing. We expected nothing less coming up here, there was never going to be a winner by five or six points or whatever."
The 24-year-old scored a goal which proved vital to Tipperary's victory and explained that his role in the score was very simple.
"John [McGrath] did the hard part, he teed the ball up and took on the men and I just made myself available. The form he was in I was actually surprised to get the ball off him and I put it away.
"[I was told] just to get in, get into position, get on the ball and try and make an impact. Everyone has a job in the squad and you try go and do your best. I went in to try and do my best and that was it.
"[Michael Ryan] told me to go out and do a job and I was happy just to get out on the pitch for whatever amount of time it was. All that matters in this situation is the team getting the victory."
John O’Dwyer celebrates scoring Tipperary's first goal of the game. Image: ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
They'll now return to Croke Park in three weeks time to face Brian Cody's men and he says that Tipp won't concern themselves too much about how the opposition prepare.
"We're going to have a positive build-up. Who wouldn't be looking forward to an All-Ireland final, you know? It's where you want to be and it's where we are in the first Sunday in September.
"We're delighted. We get back to work tomorrow or Tuesday and that's it.
"It doesn't matter who we play. You saw yesterday in the Kilkenny and Waterford match that it was a serious game, anyone could have won it. We'll worry about ourselves in the build up and that's about it."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
