The Waterford dressing-room had a happy feel to it. Not only had they won and survived an awkward challenge - to say nothing of an awful, sanded pitch - which had not been entirely expected, but, in the aftermath of their narrow win, they were able to reflect on how useful it had been to be run so close.

"It was a real roller coaster," said manager Gerald McCarthy. "We were up eight points at one stage and, as their chairman said, it didn't look like the match was going to be much use to us. I thought they used the extra man very well. They didn't play him in the one position. No training session or practice match could be as good as that for testing us."

One test that ended unexpectedly was Tony Browne's fitness check. As late as yesterday morning, Waterford and the player himself - on crutches until Wednesday - appeared to have little confidence that he would be able to play in such a high-stakes match. He wasn't passed fit until 1.30.

"I was 99 per cent certain he wouldn't be played," said McCarthy. "I couldn't believe it when I saw him getting togged out. I was absolutely delighted, he's a fabulous hurler."

Browne was inhibited during the match and in evident discomfort afterwards. "I wasn't expecting to play," he said. "The ankle was strapped up four or five times before it was finally got right. I felt I was only about 80 per cent right going into the match and I was suffering a bit after half-time.

"It was very uncomfortable. I've never had an ankle injury before and it caused difficulty during the match trying to turn. I'm hopeful I won't need the bandaging the next day, but I'll only know tomorrow (Monday) if I've done any more damage to it by playing."

Browne and McCarthy were agreed on the merit of the victory. "We were down to 14 men," said Browne, "and still pulled it out of the fire."

Reaction in the Limerick dressing-room was subdued and dominated by the one theme. The county has known terrible times in the aftermath of matches this decade and again the pain of defeat was intensified by the knowledge that it was self-inflicted. Their wides total alone was more than double Waterford's.

"We had a number of chances and didn't score from them," said manager Eamonn Cregan. "Waterford did and that's the difference between winning and losing.

"The forwards didn't click, and when they don't click in tight situations you're in trouble. I'm sorry for the lads. They have shown great commitment and now they're out of the championship by the thirtieth of May, just like last year.

"I don't know what ye thought of the referee but I thought he gave us nothing. That's not an excuse, because you've got to be able to overcome refereeing decisions. It's no use complaining about it now."