A Tipperary victory against Kilkenny at any time is not to be sniffed at and manager Liam Sheedy will look to build on the positives following last Sunday's four-point success against the All-Ireland champions at Semple Stadium.

And Sheedy's desire for victory bubbled clearly to the surface in the final minute of normal time when he was involved in a touchline altercation with opposite number Brian Cody, as the pair disputed a J.J. Delaney challenge on Tipp sub Jody Brennan.

Right from the start, Sheedy was animated and drove his players forwards in search of two precious National Hurling League points, which were badly needed after the disappointing defeat to Dublin a week before.

With final spots on offer for the top two teams in a competitive Division 1, Tipp are now back on track but the fixtures don't come any easier this Sunday, as in-form Galway arrive in Thurles for an attractive tie.

The Kilkenny match finally went ahead at the third time of asking after snow had forced two postponements, and with free admission to Semple Stadium 20,254 spectators flocked through the turnstiles.

The Tipperary contingent leaving the ground afterwards will wonder, once euphoria has been replaced by cold, clinical analysis, if the glass is half full rather than half empty.

Sure, it was sweet to beat Kilkenny in the National League for the first time since the 2008 semi-final of this competition and to gain some measure of revenge following last year's League and All-Ireland final defeats against the black and amber.But Sheedy and his players certainly won't be getting too carried away, despite laying down a notable early season marker.

Tipp were more or less at full strength in terms of personnel, except for the injured Pat Kerwick and long-term casualty James Woodlock, while Kilkenny were missing a host of top name stars.

The Ballyhale Shamrocks contingent preparing for the St.