It's been a long time since Waterford players struggled to get off a hurling field after a national final. They were hit by an outpouring of joy yesterday as the majority of the 22,235 crowd embraced the heroes who delivered a first National League title since 1963.

A team once more on the cusp of greatness.

Battered and jaded, they stopped to discuss what was the first significant victory over Kilkenny since the 1959 All-Ireland final replay. That fact alone should ensure people grasp the weight of this hard-earned scalp.

Dan Shanahan, with the number four shirt of JJ Delaney stuck to his chest, stepped into the shade under the main stand. "A good win - 43, 44 years waiting for this I think, but we got it in the end. Our backs were outstanding. Definitely our backs won it today."

Were you the hungrier team?

"Definitely."

And that's how you beat Kilkenny. Hunger. Without a vast appetite they eventually reel you in. Justin McCarthy came next. McCarthy doesn't really go for the pre-match media activity and was admonished by the GAA president last week for refusing to attend the subsequently cancelled media day. That's what makes these post-match huddles that little bit more interesting.

Analyse that, Justin? "I was quietly confident to be honest. I felt we had the team to do it. I felt we had the experienced players. It was all about working hard.

"Not giving in. Matching them score for score because they are a great team. If they got goals the game would be over so we had to do a man-marking job. That was important."

McCarthy has been here before. He remembers when his Clare team became the last side to beat Kilkenny in a league final - 1978. "I remember being here with Clare in 77 and then again in 78. I remember 84 here in Thurles (the centenary All-Ireland final when Cork beat Offaly). It's great to be a part of it again. Just another step forward for these Waterford players. We're the best team in April, but I'd like to be the best team in September."

Brian Cody slipped past moments earlier. As ever he took the time to talk.

"There is nothing between Kilkenny and Waterford. I know that. They weathered the storm very well and came back. It shouldn't be a surprise that Waterford are league champions. You can't begrudge anything to anybody. You've got to be the better team every day. They were better on the day," Cody added.

The championship is coming. Yesterday, though, was a time for Waterford players to bask in this rare success. Lord knows they deserve it after so many years on the treadmill.

Tony Browne, a 15-year inter-county veteran said: "It's a great feeling. I probably planned on retiring three or four years ago, but I came back, so to get the All Star last year and now a national league is great. We'll keep pushing until we get the big one."

How important is this for championship preparation? "It's not just the championship. It's important for hurling in general that this Kilkenny team are beaten. A massive boost for Waterford hurling too.

"We know we have it. It's just a matter of getting it out on the day. We've been doing that on the last few days. It's still only the league. We'll park that and knuckle down now for the championship."

"I kept on looking at the clock," said a bloodied Ken McGrath. "I noticed it the last day against Cork - it was the first time I ever noticed it - but I couldn't stop looking at it today. It was the longest four minutes (injury-time) I can ever remember.

"We've been down for so long, getting beaten by Kilkenny for donkeys' years so our supporters are entitled to that. The players will enjoy it but we won't get carried away. I'm delighted for the supporters.

"You are living so close to Kilkenny city the rivalry will always be intense. We have one up on them. This week anyway, but the league thing is over now."

They head to Portugal in two weeks for some light, warm -weather training. They'll bring the sticks to keep the good folk of the Algarve scratching their heads. There's more to come.