Galway shed the shackles of previous failures to win the 2017 All Ireland hurling final.
Beaten finalists in 2012 and 2015, they finally got over the line by beating Waterford by 0-26 to 2-17.
Skipper David Burke never stopped believing:
"I fully believed at some stage I was going to be there and do the job"
"That's what I was telling myself all year. It's all about belief. The top six inches.
"I was telling the lads; hurling ability they have is serious. The lads that came off the bench as well made a massive contribution to the game.
"That's really what they've been talking about since, the lads from 16 to 35 really got us over the line, even in the Tipp game as well. We'll really enjoy the week now."
Galway were the big winners on and off the pitch last night.
The Tribesmen have 8 players in The Sunday Game team of the year, Adrian Tuohy and Daithí Burke are in the full-back line.
Padraic Mannion and the Sunday Games' pick for players of the year Gearoid McInerney are in the half-backs.
David Burke is one of two midfielders, Joe Canning, Conor Whelan and Conor Cooney complete the team.
The Deise have 4 of their players in the line-up, Noel Connors, Jamie Barron, Kevin Moran and Brick Walsh.
Cork have two men in the team Anthony Nash and Pa Horgan, while Tipperary's Padraic Maher takes a place at wing-back.
The Sunday Game’s Hurling Team of the Year
- 1. Anthony Nash (Cork)
- 2. Adrian Tuohy (Galway)
- 3. Daithí Burke (Galway)
- 4. Noel Connors (Waterford)
- 5. Pádraic Mannion (Galway)
- 6. Gearóid McInerney (Galway)
- 7. Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
- 8. Jamie Barron (Waterford)
- 9. David Burke (Galway)
- 10. Kevin Moran (Waterford)
- 11. Joe Canning (Galway)
- 12. Brick Walsh (Waterford)
- 13. Conor Whelan (Galway)
- 14. Conor Cooney (Galway)
- 15. Patrick Horgan (Cork)
Congratulations to Gearóid McInerney, the #SundayGame hurler of the year
May get a pair of white boots now #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/Q7u1Y5wLWm
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 3, 2017
