Brian Cody lamented his side’s shooting after Kilkenny slipped to defeat to Tipperary in Thurles.
Kilkenny ran up a tally of 16 wides and dropped further four efforts short, while Richie Leahy drew a fine save from Brian Hogan in the second half.
However, the 67-year-old was pleased with the effort of his players and how they responded after Tipperary went six and five points in front in either half.
He said: “For a period they got a nice bit of a lead and it looked as if they could drive on but the response was very, very good from the players.
“They fought it out to the bitter end. Again, we probably had wides, we would prefer if we weren’t having some of the wides.
“Overall, a very, very good attitude from the players and we just didn’t get over the line but there are positives for sure.”
He added: “We have created chances and some of the wides you’d be thinking they weren’t difficult scores to get, the players know that themselves. But obviously something we’d be hoping for improvement on.”
Following their All-Ireland club final defeat over the weekend, the Cats boss will be phasing his Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent, led by TJ Reid, back in.
“Sure look, I mean we’re short various players. I suppose obviously the Shamrocks players, they’ll be coming back into us and you always have niggles and bits and pieces as well. The reality is the League is always like that and the battle is on for places.”
And Cody looks set to be without his namesake Evan for a number of weeks after the Dicksboro defender had to be replaced in the fourth minute.
“It’s a hamstring injury, it’s a very, very tough one,” said Cody. “The game had only started. It’s very, very unfortunate for him.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
