"I'M SO proud of the entire Kilkenny team," said Jeff Lynch (32) of Callan, who watched the All-Ireland hurling final in Kytelers on Kieran Street, Kilkenny city. "It was an unbelievable performance, an annihilation you might call it," said Jeff.
As horns blared and Kilkenny fans settled into celebration mode for the night ahead, not everybody in the Marble City was singing for joy. "I can't believe it," said Conor Cleary (27), originally from Carrickbeg in Waterford, but now living in Kilkenny. "It took us 45 years to get here and by the look of things we won't be coming back anytime soon," he said.
"I had Waterford down to win by two points. I'm so depressed, Kilkenny were too strong for us and that's all there is to it," said Conor.
With Kilkenny leading by 17 points at half-time most fans knew their team had the game in the bag with 35 minutes left to play.
"That was incredible, an exhibition match," said John Paul Considine (28) of the Butts in Kilkenny city. "There was only one team out there today. The other crowd were away sleeping somewhere, it was lambs to the slaughter," said John Paul.
The chairman of Kilkenny County Council Tomas Breathnach described Kilkenny's performance as "an awesome display of hurling".
"Kilkenny showed total control and outplayed Waterford in every position of the field," said Breathnach, whose brother Jack Walsh is mayor of Waterford City.
"They've deservedly won the three-in-a-row which was so important to everyone in Kilkenny and have gone one ahead of Cork in the honours table," he said.
"My only disappointment was I'd hoped to see Waterford hurl out of their skins and do themselves justice on the day. That didn't happen and the better team won," Breathnach said.
Outside O'Riada's on Parliament Street, Pat Kavanagh from the city was in jubilant form. "Fantastic, I had Kilkenny down to win by 16 points and for Eddie Brennan to score the first goal," said Pat.
"Waterford didn't stand a chance from the moment they left their dressing room," he said.
An estimated 25,000 people are expected to line the streets of Kilkenny later today to give a rousing welcome to both the senior and minor teams.