Aaron Gillane felt Limerick's rapid start to the All-Ireland hurling final was vital to them crossing the tape head of Kilkenny.
Limerick raced into a five point lead with five minutes elapsed at Croke Park. A sensational goal from Gearoid Hegarty, aided by a flick from Seamus Flanagan, was key.
"I think we were up four or five points there at the start," Gillane told RTÉ.
"Gearoid's goal took us all by surprise, let alone Kilkenny. I was in awe of it for a few seconds!
"[That good start] definitely stood to us. We needed it there coming down the home stretch.
"To be fair to Kilkenny, they are just a traditional honest team. They leave everything out there. That's all you can ask from any team. Unfortunately for them, they came up short."
🟩⬜ That Gearoid Hegarty rocket! 🚀pic.twitter.com/WaOa7rYQfp
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 17, 2022
READ HERE: How Return To Junior Hurling Brought Gearóid Hegarty 'Back Down To Earth'
Sean Finn added: "It's been a long year. There was a lot thrown at us, and we responded and responded. We're just so happy to get over the line today.
"We knew Kilkenny were going to throw everything at us today when we were leading.
"It's a different All-Ireland this year with a full stadium. We'll have homecomings, and banquets, and that's all part of it."
Limerick's victory, their 11th hurling title in total, and their third in a row, came thanks to the 1-31 to 2-26 win.
"U14s, myself and Sean were corner-forwards for the B-team!" said Gillane.
"It hasn't turned out bad so far! We're all best friends, We've all stuck together all the years up along."
"We were corner forward for the 'B' team at Under-14!"
Three All-Irelands later, Limerick's Sean Finn and Aaron Gillane talk about their historic victory #sundaygame pic.twitter.com/okHGffmU2Z
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 17, 2022
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