Kilkenny hurling legend Henry Shefflin paid tribute to his great team mates and management staff after winning a record ninth All-Ireland Hurling title.
Shefflin was speaking with RTE Sport, where the All-Ireland Hurling Final was streamed live, after Kilkenny's 3-22 to 3-11 replay win over Galway.
“I’ve played with great players before and great players now and without those team mates I would not have any medals in my pocket”, Shefflin said.
“(Winning the replay) was very much about the team and the team performance, and that was the most satisfying thing. I think in the drawn game we did not perform as a team, although we had some good individual performances.
"Today we had a very good team performance, and that has always been the hallmark of this team.”
When asked what keep him motivated to continue playing the game at the highest level Shefflin put it down to the love of the game:
“I think it’s very simple. It’s because of the feeling I have now, and the feeling I had at the final whistle. That’s what drives you on. I have been very fortunate and very privileged in my career to have so many of those days.
"I’ve had one or two bad days as well so I know the difference between good and bad days.”
“I love playing the game, I love training and I love being involved with such a great team of fellas. That drives me on as well."
Kilkenny are 10/11 favourites to win yet another All-Ireland Hurling title with
Paddy Power with Tipperary 7/2 and beaten finalists Galway 4/1.
