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The 2014 All-Ireland final replay win over Tipperary was Jackie Tyrrell's greatest moment in a Kilkenny jersey, and he doesn't hide his disappointment at not featuring against them this year.

He wasn't to know it at the time, but that game two years ago was the last time he would complete 70 minutes in Croke Park as injury cost him his place midway through last year's campaign and he failed to break back into the side in 2016.

Tyrrell isn't spoiled for choice when it comes to career highlights, including lifting Liam MacCarthy in 2006, though 2014 stands apart.

"2014, the All-Ireland replay against Tipperary was an amazing, amazing day," he recalled. "That was definitely my best 70 minutes in a Kilkenny jersey.

(Image: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

"Obviously we hadn't had the best day as a set of backs the previous one and I remember marking Bubbles O'Dwyer that day and after 45 seconds I blocked him down in the middle of the field and Paul Murphy came up and blocked Lar.

"That was just the tempo for the day and we brought it for 70 minutes. It was just a hugely satisfying day for us that day."

The tide was out for Kilkenny against the same opposition in this year's All-Ireland final and despite the full-back line struggling to contain a rampant Tipp attack, Tyrrell wasn't summoned from the bench.

"I can't remember the minute but myself and Rob Lennon were called to go down and warm up. We were actually warming up when Kevin Kelly got the goal because we were right in front of it.

"Two or three minutes after the goal, I said to Rob, 'Better take it easy' because I could see by the body language we weren't coming on. I thought we might be coming on at some stage but I said to Rob, 'I'm going back up to the stand', and I never left my seat again.

"It was very disappointing. It's disappointing not to get out in Croke Park. You could see lads were in trouble. You could see our team were struggling and it was disappointing but it's not about me. Brian Cody is well qualified to make a decision as he feels."