All-Ireland SHC Final: Ian O'Riordan talks to David Tierney who believes defeats and experience have helped energise Galway's drive.

That maturing talent, that mental resolve, and that bit of attitude that ultimately took Galway to this year's All-Ireland hurling final is all captured in David Tierney. At 25 the Galway midfielder is not just in the prime of his career, but determined to make the most of it.

His journey to Croke Park on Sunday is typical of this Galway team. He endured the perennial misfortune at under-21 level before making the swift transition to the senior panel, playing in Galway's last final of 2001, and itching to get back ever since. Now the pain of three years of defeat has reinforced Tierney's sense of purpose - just like it has the spirit and character of the whole team.

"I think when you've had the crushing defeats like we have that comes naturally," says Tierney. "Losing to Clare by a point, and Tipp by a point. So we've had a few long summers with plenty of time to think and if that doesn't build character I don't know what will. We always felt we had the hurlers, but hurling and fitness is one thing. You have to be tuned in for the games as well, and we have worked on that side.

"And collectively we do seem to be tuned in a little more this year. The players have taken on more responsibility with regards to getting themselves right, and doing that extra bit on their own. And that includes getting it right in the head. But the bit of experience counts for a lot too. Most of this team has been on the scene five or six years now, and we know what it's about."

Clearly the Galway heads were right against Tipperary and Kilkenny, when they produced passages of the finest hurling ever seen in Croke Park. Tierney emphasises the responsibility is now spread throughout the team, and yet his leadership at midfield proved defining in both games.

"Each game this year we went out knowing we'd have to improve and up our performance. We did improve a little bit every game since beating Limerick. But we'll have to hit top gear now to beat the All-Ireland champions.

"Obviously last year's defeat to Kilkenny was in the back of our minds going out the last day. That was a driving factor because we weren't going to leave it like that. We took a lot of criticism over that game, but sure we were beaten by 19 points. So we can't have too many qualms about that.

"Against Tipp we'd still have been very disappointed from that game in 2003. We were hurting for a while over that, and just said we'd keep it going this time. We hadn't beaten them since the league in 2000, and that probably was the turning point this year, if there was one."

Tierney's growing confidence on the field is a reflection of his commitment to Galway hurling. While he established himself as one of their best players of the 2001 campaign, he was at times guilty of drifting out of games. Now he rarely leaves the field without a complete performance.

He'd dabbled too in dual status, being called into John O'Mahony's senior football panel in 2000. Time restraints didn't allow that to continue, but being from the heartland of Galway hurling (his club being Kilnadeema-Leitrim) there was never a problem where his future lay.

"It's mostly because of the way the training has gone. Each year there seems to be more and more demands. Even the nights you're not training you're trying to do a bit of ball work, and then over the winter you're trying to get into the gym . . . But anyone will tell you that east Galway is almost all hurling, 90 per cent anyway. So there was never really any choice."

He's now based in the city, teaching at St Enda's just a stone's throw from Pearse Stadium. These days he can walk the city streets and anonymously feel the hype with every step. He was probably more recognisable when he sported the long hair, but like most of this Galway team, he's moved on from his past.

"It's nice to see all the young lads wearing the county jersey, but none of that will count for much if we don't pull it off on Sunday. We had a good win over Kilkenny in 2001 as well and ended up losing to Tipp. So we haven't dwelled on any game at all. It's all about Sunday now."