Down in the muddy corridors of the Gaelic Grounds and Brian Cody is allowing escape the gentle words of praise he normally reserves for high summer. But the manager is pleased. Those who said the Cats couldn't care for April hurling were wrong.

"All along lads were saying after every League game that we were playing an 'oul B team. This is not our B team. We are playing the best team available to us and there are a lot of players available now. So, I mean, I think they showed today that they are a team, there is a determination and spirit there.

"For me, as a manager, that's all I want to see. None of the lads out there have a League medal.

"For the last three years I've said I'd love to win the league and I would love to this year and we certainly have a chance this year because we are in the final."

All through the game, Cody and his Limerick counterpart Eamonn Cregan prowled the lines like anxious parents at an underage game.

Maybe it was the novelty of the pairings but there was a frayed aspect to the encounter. The dismissals of Philly Larkin and Eddie Brennan, however, left the Kilkenny manager utterly mystified.

"Thought the ref was brilliant," he quips.

"Ah, no, I'm not criticising him but I think he made two wrong decisions. If that's a crime for me to say that, then so be it. I asked him why he sent them off and he wouldn't answer me. And I can understand it's a tough job. But I disagree with both decisions and I can't make head or tail of it.

"Eddie's very upset - I told him it was two yellows but he said 'that's okay, but I'm after getting sent off for trying to hook a fella.' And that's tough."

Limerick's immediate worries, however, are of a more fundamental nature.

"We were very naïve under the dropping ball - we think we will get the ball without physical contact and that doesn't happen in matches and we are going to have to learn that," is Eamonn Cregan's quiet assessment.

If he is disappointed by the tame end to Limerick's flying early season he conceals it from all.

"We were flat," he shrugs. "And in a way it's a sort of a kick in the backside for us. Because we felt we were playing with such confidence and to suddenly be shattered like that . . . but it's a loss. So what? It's history now and I keep on saying to the players that you are only as good as your next match. But Kilkenny are a very good side and have shown to be All-Ireland contenders.

Just over a month until the day of reckoning. Cregan's expression warms at the thought.

"All of the heavy stuff is behind us now. We have to improve on our skill and first touch. And we have what, four weeks to do that. So let's be positive, let's see what we can do from here."