The mood in the crowded pub in Kilkenny quietened as six plasma screens broadcast Henry Shefflin's post-match speech. The main talking point afterwards was the eloquence of the captain both on and off the field.
There was intense emotion as he dedicated the Liam McCarthy cup to James McGarry, the Kilkenny substitute goalkeeper whose wife Vanessa died in a car crash in July.
The images of her son Darragh, wearing a black and amber jersey, moved many to tears. Fenella Hickey (22), from the village of Bennettsbridge, said "Sheff's speech brought a tear to my eye and touched everyone".
Dean Brennan (20) who hurls with the Dicksboro club, said: "Fair play to him, he didn't just think of the fans, he thought of Vanessa McGarry." Kate Canham (21) from Kilmanagh thought "Sheff was brilliant". David Martin said Shefflin was "a very good spokesman who had relayed the feelings of the players".
Kieran Ryan, who lives in London, and was on holidays in Kilkenny, thought the speech was "very dignified".
An estimated 25,000 people are expected to line the streets in Kilkenny this evening when their hurlers return to a civic reception after defeating Limerick by 2-19 to 1-15 at Croke Park in yesterday's final.
Kilkenny have now equalled Cork's record of 30 All-Ireland hurling titles and there was talk among supporters last night of "getting one up on the Rebels next year". Many of those who could not get tickets gathered in pubs to watch the match and seemed confident about the outcome.
At Matt the Miller's pub, overlooking the river Nore, roars of approval greeted the two Kilkenny goals. The few Limerick fans present were politely and smilingly indulged but they seemed resigned to a sorry ending.
The pub is built on the site of an ancient mill where the miller turned brewer produced beer "of such quality that those sentenced to death by the Castle Court would ask, as a last request, for a jug of the Miller's Ale on their way to Gallows Hill".
Over at Lanigan's on Rose Inn Street a colourful crowd cheered at the final whistle.
The owner and proprietor, PJ Lanigan, "a Tipperary man from Grangemockler" said "celebrations tonight will be mental - as they like sewing it into Tipp".
David Martin, who watched the match with his children Ian (12) and Caitlín (9) at the Springhill Hotel, said "the game was not as good as it could have been; Kilkenny dominated from the start and Limerick seemed nervous".