Brian Cody cut a contented figure after Kilkenny produced a superb second half display to beat a fancied Cork side in the first of today's All-Ireland SHC quarter-finals.
The 2-27 to 3-18 win saw the Cats qualify for a semi-final meeting with All-Ireland champions Limerick on July 27.
"We're obviously delighted to win the match," the veteran Kilkenny manager told RTÉ.
"The prize for winning today is not a trophy, but it’s getting into the All Ireland semi-final. Obviously that’s absolutely the focus and our intention all the time. We knew coming up that we were under a fierce battle and it was a battle. But our lads I thought were really, really good.
"We got a nice lead and they pulled it back. They just refused to give in. They came back very, very strongly. But thanks be to God we lifted it again."
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