Rarely will managers have less to say than Laois boss Padraig Horan after his side's brave, but ultimately losing performance.

"We had loads of quality, we just didn't get the breaks. Three points up today at a vital stage of the game and we let them off the hook," said Horan. Then a search for an explanation.

"When we were on top, hurling balls disappeared for some apparent reason. It totally interrupted the way we were playing at the time. We still did everything right and end up on the long end of the stick again. It's sickening, to be quite honest." Slowly it started to sink in. "Their goal in the first half killed us really and we were fighting an up-hill battle after that. You consider the situation in Laois yesterday, with that terrible accident and so many friends of those either killed or injured in hospital. They came out today and hurled out of their skins and lifted everyone. It's a heartbreak," said Horan.

Kilkenny manager Kevin Fennelly appeared. He offered his sympathy. "You really gave us a lesson in commitment today," he told the Laoismen. Laois have heard it all before.

Afterwards Fennelly explained what he meant: "They were a big strong team, fully committed and well able to hurl. I said all along that Laois were going to be hard. When they got back level with us in the second half I knew our lads were going to be under pressure and it took a lot of character for our lads to come through. The subs proved essential, but there's a lot more to be done this season."

Ken O'Shea was the focus of attention in the Kilkenny dressingroom, his accuracy on the day crucial to his team.

"We were down three points at that stage and in a spot of bother. Once that ball came my way, the goal was the only option. I didn't actually hit it that strong, but luckily it went right in the corner."

At the other end of the dressingroom, DJ Carey is happy to respond to interrogation on his mere mortal performance.