Anthony Daly: You'd want to have the stake driven through Ballyhale's hearts

Darragh Corcoran of Ballyhale Shamrocks celebrates after the All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final win over St Thomas. Picture: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

The pain of losing an All-Ireland club semi-final cuts sharp and deep, but the hurt and devastation of losing to a last-second goal was etched in the contours and lines of the faces of the St Thomas’ players and their manager, Kenneth Burke, after yesterday’s heartbreaking defeat.

It’s always only hurling but, while we all understand that reality, acceptance never tranquilises the anguish in those circumstances. St Thomas’ were absolutely heroic. They fought and battled like warriors from the first minute to the last, but the tears that ran down their faces were only drops in the ocean of regret they’ll be swimming in for months.