Selector Paddy McCormack was already turning his attention to next weekend's Munster club SHC semi-final against Cratloe after Thurles Sarsfields swept to their 33rd Tipperary SHC title yesterday.

"We were beaten here by Newtownshandrum by a point a few years ago and we learned from that, we lost to De La Salle one frosty day down in Páirc Ui Chaoimh another year and we learned from that," he told the Irish Examiner after the Blues' impressive victory over holders Loughmore-Castleiney.

"We won the Munster in 2012 and we'd like another crack at it, but Cratloe are a team that don't mind going week to week either, hurling or football, they're a very good team and an example to everyone."

McCormack agreed that Sars' strong start - they raced into a seven-point lead after 17 minutes - was crucial to their victory.

"We got the start. In the last couple of weeks we didn't get that, and we watched our intermediates in the curtain-raiser and they didn't get a great start, so we said, 'there's a lesson here'.

"We decided to try to build up the momentum from the start, and it worked out. We have a great tradition in the club and that's what you're judged by - there are lads in the club who won ten in a row, so that's what you're compared to. Some of our lads have played in seven or eight county finals now and have won four or five medals."

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