By Cian O'Connell

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody acknowledged it was another satisfying Sunday for the Cats against Tipperary at Nowlan Park.

During the past decade Tipperary have endured demoralising losses at the Kilkenny venue and the locals were primed once more.

"Delighted to have won the League," was Cody's immediate post match reaction highlighting the influence of Walter Walsh's splendid 36th minute goal.

"It was a great game as well. Obviously in the first-half, Tipperary shaded it a bit, but we got a great start to the second-half, Walter got a great goal.

"The most gratifying thing for ourselves is the attitude of the players was top-class, everyone who started, everyone who came in.

"At the start of every League, I always say that I would love to win the League and get as much game-time into as many players as possible. It has worked out well on both counts because we have seen a lot of players and have a decent depth to our panel."

Cody is encouraged by the spirit and stamina shown by the emerging players in the Kilkenny set-up. "I think it requires ambition to become part and parcel of it, you have to decide exactly what you want to do with your sporting career," Cody stated. "You can play club hurling, can play away, or you can challenge yourself to see where you can go in this game.

"Can I get to the next level and the next level is the top level which is senior inter-county. And we knew all the players coming up along, they are not new players to myself and the lads in charge of the team. 

"We see them come up along, we see attitude in them, we see genuineness in them and it is not a question of fellas who can make the ball talk or do something like that.

"It is a question of who are team players, who are prepared to work for the team, with very good skill as well. I think the application of players is based around real, genuine spirit, but I think everyone has spirit, every team has spirit and you are going nowhere without it."

TJ Reid's excellence was also a significant factor according to Cody. "He's been really consistent for us," Cody commented.

"And, I mean, that's the level he's at. TJ is on the team a long time now, an outstanding hurler, and he has to step up - he has to be the player he's capable of being, not just a player who is tipping away at maybe scoring five or six points. He's capable of playing at that level. That's his ability, and his application has been terrific. 

"His fitness levels are huge as well, so he's reaping the benefits of the work he's putting into it."