Brian Cody hailed his players and also took a pop at Kilkenny's critics as he pored over another All-Ireland final defeat.
Three-in-a-row was the theme of the day as Limerick entered the history books - while Kilkenny slumped to their third final defeat since last winning in 2015.
Still, there were plenty of positives in defeat for the Cats who came up just shy of a brilliant Limerick team.
READ MORE: Player ratings as Limerick hold off Kilkenny for three on the spin
Cody, chasing his 12th All-Ireland as Kilkenny manager, quipped: "According to most people's predictions we weren't at the level to even have a chance of getting to an All-Ireland final. But I think our players just deserve fantastic admiration for the way they fought it out.
"The early goal gave Limerick obviously a huge boost, great confidence and gave them that cushion the whole way nearly right up to half-time. They got some great scores. But look, half-time, four points down, it's not a big gap obviously in hurling.
"Second-half then we fought it out and fought it out, unfortunate we didn't get to where we wanted to get to but obviously we congratulate Limerick as All-Ireland champions, three-in-a-row champions, which is a huge achievement for them and, like I said, I think every Kilkenny person should be very, very proud of how the Kilkenny team performed."
Twice in the second-half, after John Donnelly's 48th minute point and then after Richie Hogan's 63rd minute score, the Cats got back to level terms but, crucially, never went ahead at any stage in the game.
Donnelly's point was preceded by Martin Keoghan's goal and it looked at that stage as if Kilkenny were coming with a serious head of steam.
Cody said: "Obviously a score like that is huge but I mean you never presume anything because the quality of the opposition is so good and so strong and obviously physically they're a powerful team as well.
"The goal was terrific for us, absolutely, but the question is just about keeping going and keeping going.
"The lads did that but they (Limerick) obviously were able to keep in touch with points, they kept themselves ahead on the scoreboard even though we did draw level but look, I mean just a great battle. Obviously hugely disappointed for all the players but, again, I just have huge pride for the way they performed."
It was put to Cody to compare the current Limerick three-in-a-row team to his own four-in-a-row side of 2006-2009.
He said: "I wouldn't even begin to think about a question like that to be honest. I just think they've won three All-Irelands in a row, good teams don't do that - great teams do that really. They're a top-class team. They've proven it over the last three years."
Richie Hogan's return for the first time all year drew a huge cheer and he scored a cracking point. In all, subs contributed three points for Kilkenny.
Cody said of the bench: "That's what it's for. People will always think about that when players come on and make a difference but also there were so many players on the pitch who all stood up. They were manly and they were strong and they were powerful and they just fought it out to the bitter end."
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