Davy Fitzgerald believes Tipperary can put it up to Kilkenny in next month's All-Ireland hurling final.

The Cats are bidding for an unprecedented five-in-a-row, but with Henry Shefflin already ruled out and Tommy Walsh a major doubt, Fitzgerald gives Tipp more than a fighting chance.

"We saw last year that they can (test Kilkenny)," Fitzgerald said after Tipp eliminated his Waterford team from the All-Ireland race yesterday.

"Tipperary are a good team and their fighting spirit was evident there again. They probably timed their run well. It's very hard to keep a run going all year and now they're starting to hit a good bit of momentum."

The former Clare goalkeeper also claimed the Tipp defence has tightened up considerably since their All-Ireland quarter-final win over Galway.

"I thought the Tipperary defence was a lot tighter, which was a big plus for them, and they'll need to keep it that tight the next day."

Fitzgerald also admitted that he was tactically out-manoeuvred yesterday.

"The better team won without a shadow of a doubt. I've no complaints whatsoever. Tipperary were better than us and tactically they were better than us," he conceded.

"The things that wins games are goals and they got them at the right times. They threatened goals more than we did.

"I just feel, tactically, we could have been a small bit better, but that's the way it goes. We got it right for the Munster final." Tweet

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