‘We just didn’t convert the chances we created,’ rues Harte

MICKY HARTE tried his best to put on a brave face after seeing Errigal Chiaráin lose a second AIB All-Ireland club football semi-final to specialists Nemo Rangers in O’Moore Park yesterday.

In a game which marked the end of his managerial career, allowing him to focus full-time on the county side, he conceded they lost to a better team.

"We said before the game, that when Nemo were going back to get into their third final in a row there had to be a lot about them and today they proved that there was.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get to an All-Ireland final and we probably came up against one of the best club sides ever. We did that in 1994 and they went on to win the title. I think they are no mean side at the minute either," he said.

Harte justified his decision to play with the strong wind after winning the toss. However, while accepting they didn't make the most of that advantage, he said the game was still there to be won in the second half.

"We just did not convert the chances we created. We tried very hard and I have to be honest, I think the team did themselves proud.

"You make mistakes in games, you don't always convert your chances. But as long as you keep trying to the end you always have a chance to the end. We always had a chance, but a few decisions you will always look back on dubious decisions you might say, or hard-to-understand decisions."

Without directly criticising the performance of Roscommon referee Gerry Kinneavy, Harte did have what would be accepted as genuine grievances.

"Sometimes you got a free when you could have done without it. Other times you thought you should have got frees and didn't get them.

"These things become all the more acute when you lose the game. If you win you probably don't pay so much significance to them but they certainly seem significant at this stage.

"A goal was always going to be crucial and we conceded one. I knew it would take a goal to get back into the game. We conjured up a few chances but we never managed to put any of them away. If we had that stroke of luck, maybe to finish off one of the goals, I think we could have won the match."

Interestingly, Harte wasn't prepared to lay any blame on their Christmas break, saying it wasn't really a case of losing their momentum.

"I don't really believe that. They were out of games as long as we were. I don't think it was a serious factor."