Michael Ryan found it difficult to explain that Tipperary performance.
The reigning All-Ireland champions were subjected to a 16-point defeat at the hands of Galway in Sunday's league final.
Tipperary came into the game off the back of a 5-18 to 1-19 victory over Wexford and looked to their prolific forward line do the damage. John and Noel McGrath were expected to turn on the style.
John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer prepared to stake his claim for a permanent place in the starting XV.
Even Michael Breen, who scored four points off the bench against Davy Fitzgerald's side, looked to put his hand up for selection at the Gaelic Grounds.
Except it didn't turn out like that.
"I can't explain it," Michael Ryan told Newstalk Sport's Oisin Langan. "It was all Galway from the off. We just seemed to be flat all over the pitch. When you thought you might get something out of the game, they hit you with a sucker goal.
"They did that three times."
He added: "We were well outclassed today in every facet of the game."
The Tribesmen will take confidence from their win, despite manager Micheál Donoghue tempering expectations after their victory.
For Tipperary it's back to the drawing board and perhaps time for a rest.
"Our boys need some time off. They've had a hectic 10-week period with eight games. It adds up.
"A week is a very short turnaround time. We had the guys in last Tuesday. We were blown away by them, they were on fire.
"But they're human beings, not machines."
Galway manager Michael Donoghue and Tipperary manager Michael Ryan shake hands at the end of the game. Image: ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
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