Henry Shefflin described hurling as his "saving grace" after his Galway side were narrowly defeated by Limerick in Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final clash at Croke Park.
The Kilkenny legend was reflecting on a tough year after losing his brother Paul suddenly in March.
The 40-year-old passed away after collapsing while out for a run, with Henry describing as "the best of all the Shefflins" at his funeral.
Reflecting on his first season as an inter-county manager, Shefflin told Sky Sports: "I think the management team, the backroom team have just carried themselves brilliantly and just tried to do everything possible to just try and get a group of people blending together, bonding together and giving their best for their jersey and that's what we've tried to achieve.
"I've obviously had some personal tough times and you think about those people but sport and hurling for us is your saving grace because that's what we love doing and that's what gets us away from the trials and tribulations of life."
Shefflin also paid tribute to his players for how much they have improved in recent months.
He said: "We're coming from a dressing room that's absolutely devastated there. People are literally looking into their boots so it's very hard but they had that feeling last year in Thurles [lost to Waterford in a qualifier] when they went out very easily so they've made great strides.
"It's been a great improvement and they've put in a massive effort and you can't ask for more from a group of people."
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