As Tipperary's celebrations moved from Liberty Square in Thurles to the home of Tommy Dunne in Toomevara late last night, the All-Ireland hurling champions yesterday opened up on the one blight on what is being acknowledged as a flawless season.

The build-up to Sunday's victory over Galway was overshadowed by the suspension slapped on Brian O'Meara, sent off during Tipperary's All-Ireland semi-final win in dubious circumstances.

"It was difficult enough watching on all right but it all went away at the final whistle when I saw the boys in their hour of glory. The game is over and it is going to be marvellous in Thurles," commented O'Meara yesterday prior to the team's home-coming journey.

O'Meara admitted that he would have been bitter had Tipperary lost the match but vowed that, despite his disillusionment, he would return next season.

Although manager Nicky English had maintained a silence on the suspension, he was passionate in his criticism after delivering Tipperary its first All-Ireland title since 1991.

"We kept our counsel and tried not to let it affect the team because our team has been resilient all year. Ultimately, as far as I can see, the people who decided that Brian O'Meara should get suspended were football people.

"Hurling is a different game to football and decisions should be made for hurling, by hurling people. That's what I think."

English remained full of praise for Galway and maintained that experience was the dividing factor.

"I thought Galway were fantastic - and I thought it was a great game of hurling, massively sporting.

"It was brilliant to see a game played in that spirit and Galway will come back - I think the change in the system will help them.

"I was quite comfortable when I knew the game was going to be tight because we are used to that. Galway aren't used to it. You can have all the managers in the world but, ultimately, the players have to take the responsibility on themselves."

While English didn't confirm that he will definitely return to defend the title next season, he hinted broadly at as much. The contract of his Galway counterpart, Noel Lane, was for one year only but it is expected that it will be ratified for a further period should he seek re-appointment.

Although Galway have made significant strides in recent years, the anticipation of a title for the county remains intense.

"There is no doubt that we have made progress, but, really, nobody is remembered for reaching All-Ireland finals but for winning them. That said, this is a young team and, hopefully, after the disappointment of this goes, we will get back," summed up wing back Cathal Moore.

Reflecting on the game, full back Michael Healy reckoned that Mark O'Leary's second goal was the pivotal moment in the match.

"We finished the first half well and it set us up nicely. We had hoped to start the second half in the same way and did to a certain extent but the goal came against the run of play.

"It was just of those things, nobody's fault, it just bobbled in. It was a scuttery oul goal really - you'd nearly prefer if they had scored a classy goal than one like that."

Tipperary travelled by train to Thurles and came into Liberty Square on an open-top bus yesterday evening before progressing for a welcome in Toomevara. They are due to play Clare in the traditional post All-Ireland GOAL match in Thurles tomorrow evening.