Goal was killer blow, says Cahill

ANTRIM manager Dinny Cahill rued the fact his charges failed to find net on two occasions from 20-metre frees during the second half.

Nine minutes after half-time, and again seven minutes from the end, Saffrons sharpshooter Neil McManus elected to blast the ball rather than tap the sliotar over the bar.

The Cushendall man made first-rate contact each time, but the six-strong Cork defensive wall proved equal to the task, deflecting the ball out for a 65’ on each occasion.

“At that stage we needed a goal, and there was the two frees and a chance where the ball was bobbling around the goal as well,” recalled Cahill. “All we needed was to get it across the line at that stage, and that would’ve kicked us back into the game.”

Unsurprisingly, the Tipperary native conceded Niall McCarthy’s goal just before half-time was a major contributory factor to the Rebels’ success.

“The goal was a killer blow really to us,” he stressed, “and left us eight points down at half-time. But fair play to the players. They came out and played in the second half and took the game to Cork. I don’t think they were afraid of Cork and I don’t think they were afraid of any opposition they faced this year.

“And they proved again today that they can compete with the top teams. For instance, seven months ago we didn’t know these players and I think they’ve come a long way in seven months. The players can go back to Antrim and feel proud of the way they played today in Croke Park.”

The Antrim boss went on: “When the chance came to Cork they took it. But no fault to our players, they battled on and battled on. There was nothing between the two teams. Maybe we conceded a few silly frees as well which cost us. I’d love to know what Cork got from play, but I don’t think it was an awful lot

“We’ll look back at the video and analyse it and see where we can go from here. The players were very disappointed in the dressing room after. They know they can do better. There’s not a doubt about that.

“This year’s competition is over, and all we can hope now is that the players go back to their clubs and try and work hard to bring up the standard of hurling in Antrim. I think we’ll be a force next year. There’s not a doubt we’ll be up with the top teams.”