We have to face the music, says McIntyre

STICKING a microphone in John McIntyre’s face after the final whistle yesterday didn’t feel so much like kicking a man when he was down, more like robbing him of his wallet as he lay bruised in the gutter.

In fairness to the Offaly manager, he didn’t dive for the sanctuary of the dressing room or hide behind any monosyllabic answers. Instead, he chose to take the humiliation - his own word - of a 31-point slaughter on the chin. No questions ducked, no excuses offered.

“I have to face the music and the players have to face the music. My head will probably be on the block now. It’s probably Offaly’s worst ever championship mauling of modern times and I’m the manager and I’m not going to walk away from that responsibility.