Tipperary 3-18 Galway 3-16: Both sides will have more to play for during the summer but if the preview that was served up at Pairc na nGael this afternoon is any indicator there's much to look forward to for Tipperary and Galway fans.
After drawing their earlier encounter this year the national hurling league division one final was always going to be a tight affair, but ultimately it was Tipperary who claimed their 19th title, thanks largely to a flurry of scoring on the hour.
The sides were practically inseparable at the break but Tipp held a slender one point advantage at 1-09 to 1-08.
The forward lines of both sides looked capable of scoring at will. Given the talent at both ends it was hardly surprising.
Galway's teenage star Joe Canning scored 1-06 in total but the telling and timely contribution came from Tipperary's experienced full forward Lar Corbett.
On the hour, Corbett fielded brilliantly under pressure and smashed the sliotar past James Skehill in the Galway goal.
He pointed twice quickly afterwards and then set-up Willie Ryan for what was effectively a sixth point in the space of three minutes.
Canning hit the net to keep Galway in touch before two Kevin Hynes points and another from the teenager brought the scores back to 3-17 to 3-16. Seamus Butler, however, ensured the win with the two minutes of injury time played.
Speaking afterwards Tipperary captain Eoin Kelly said the win was great preparation for the league.
"I'm delighted," he told RTE radio. "We fought it out to the bitter end with Seamus Butler's score there.
"It's only the league but it gives us great confidence going into the championship."
Earlier, Westmeath beat Carlow 2-12 to 0-12 in the division two final.