“You work so hard and you get your heart broken. You come back again and you get so close and you get your heart broken again. So to finally get up the steps, it’s the proudest moment I’ve had on a hurling pitch.”

Ballygunner joint-captain Stephen O’Keeffe outlined what their Munster Club SHC final win meant to him and his club-mates.

“It’s been a long year for Na Piarsaigh and a long year for our lads with Limerick, so maybe it was one step too far, but we’ll be back.”

Na Piarsaigh relinquished their Munster SHC title but Paul Beary vowed that this is not the end of road for this talented team.

“I suppose we came into that game as underdogs again and we are delighted with the win.”

Mervyn O’Donnell and Gaoth Dobhair upset the odds against Crossmaglen in Healy Park.

“We’re disappointed but the best team won on the day.”

Crossmaglen manager Donal Murtagh had no complaints following their semi-final exit.

“An unbelievable battle. I don’t know how much more I can take, to be honest, and I’m not even playing.”

Ballyboden St Enda’s battling qualities were once again on show as they scraped over Coolderry and manager Joe Fortune admitted he’s finding the going tough along the sideline!

“I honestly don’t know what happened with the red cards, the game was so fast. It was a great year and they’ll get over this.”

Fortune’s Coolderry counterpart Joachim Kelly wasn’t in a position to comment on how his team finished with 12 men.

“I knew it was either the last kick or the second last kick and that it had to go over.”

All-Star goalkeeper Rory Beggan came up trumps once again for Scotstown in the Ulster Club SFC semi-final against Eoghan Rua.

“I know this year wasn’t a great year at county level, and some people were questioning him, but since he came back for me he’s worked and worked. He wasn’t scoring in some of our matches, but I still thought he was brilliant.”

Ballyhale Shamrocks boss Henry Shefflin hailed Colin Fennelly’s 4-4 contribution agaisnt Naomh Eanna.

“It might have looked fairly easy on the scoreboard but it was tough going out there. Our desire was huge – lads wanting to get on the ball everywhere. That won it for us in the end.”

David Burke and St Thomas’ celebrated Galway SHC glory at the expense of Liam Mellows.

“It’s been unreal over the last few weeks and months. A lot of the lads have been busy with their clubs and to get out here and back with the lads has been great. The stadium is unreal but the hurling was tough. It’s very fast and lads could feel it.”

‘Hurler of the Year’ Cian Lynch enjoyed the experience of playing in the Super 11s Fenway Hurling Classic.

“We gave up too much possession in the middle third and didn’t track back but Anthony Nash produced some incredible saves. But the concept is great and we are delighted to have taken part. We’re not due back training until December 1 so it was good to come together like this.”

Cork supremo John Meyler singled out his goalkeeper for special praise following their final defeat in Boston.

“A great Kerryman, a great football man and a great character. If you wanted to know anything about Kerry football, Weeshie was the man you went to. He knew every detail about it and loved sharing it with people. Kerry football was his life, first as a player and then in so many other areas for the rest of his life.”

Mick O’Dwyer paid tribute to legendary Kerry GAA commentator Weeshie Fogarty who sadly passed away yesterday.

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