Pressure may have got to Portumna, admits Kelly

JOHNNY KELLY bore a wry smile that masked the reality of Portumna’s inner turmoil – their three-in-a-row dream had just died a painful death.

Kelly admitted the pressure to become to become the first club hurling team to ever string three All-Ireland titles together may have got to his players.

“Maybe it did, subconsciously, maybe it did, I’m not sure,” said the Portumna manager. “We didn’t talk about it but maybe at times it seeps into guys and there’s very little you can do about that. It’s human nature that people clap you on the back. Maybe it did, I’m not sure.”

What Kelly was definite about was that the best team won, as Ballyhale made their own history by becoming the first team to collect five titles.

“We didn’t come here to lose but things didn’t work out for us and you have to say Ballyhale were the better team on the day,” admitted Kelly. “I believe that whoever wins is the better team so credit to them.”

Portumna had the best player at least in Joe Canning whose haul of 0-12 included some sublime efforts.

“Joe’s an outstanding player, even when things are going against him he keeps coming out, doing the right things,” continued Kelly. “It’s the mark of the man really.”

Kelly refused to criticise goalkeeper Ivan Canning whose miscued 47th-minute hand pass allowed David Hoyne to snipe a goal that put Ballyhale in a commanding position.

“The goal took the wind out of our sails a bit but there’s no recriminations on our side,” said Kelly, who likewise refused to label it the turning point in the game.

“I don’t know is there any such thing as a turning point in a game. We did get a grip for a while and we had them under pressure and they were in a bit of disarray on the sideline, trying to make changes for the first time in the third quarter.

“I suppose it (the goal) did take the wind out of our sails. But we battled and that’s the sign of the team, great character that they came back and got another three or four scores on the board and never threw in the towel.”