Tipperary manager Michael Ryan was understandably delighted with the manner in which his team dug out a one-point win over Galway in today's All-Ireland SHC semi-final.

The Premier County scraped over the line on a scoreline of 2-19 to 2-18 and, speaking to RTE's 'The Sunday Game', the winning manager revealed he knew in advance that they were going to be put to the pin of their collar.

"We expected no different to be honest," he remarked to RTE's 'The Sunday Game'. "We were chasing it for long, long periods.

"It really felt like a repeat of last year, we were playing under the standard that we wanted to play at and Galway were just doing enough and staying ahead of us for long, long periods.

"Thankfully, we got a couple of crucial scores and we're thrilled. We're delighted, the price is huge. It's where we wanted to be and that's all that is on offer here on semi-final day."

Ryan agreed that today's close shave should stand to his team ahead of their Liam MacCarthy Cup showdown with Kilkenny.

"It's super preparation, it really is, to squeeze through in a tight game. This time last year we were at the other end of that. It's very sweet and it's very satisfying and it's great reward for the group.

"Every team that starts out on their journey pre-Christmas or on the first of January, this is the goal always, this is the holy grail of hurling to be playing in Croke Park on the first Sunday in September.

"What a prize, we love it in Tipperary and we can't wait for that challenge to come." he commented before adding: "Thankfully, we've three weeks because we are tired!"

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