Cunningham rues crucial setbacks

Vanquished Galway boss Anthony Cunningham paid a gracious tribute to champions Kilkenny following yesterday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final replay.

Cunningham admitted the Cats possess some of his all-time idols, whose achievements will echo in eternity. But Cunningham pinpointed a crucial second-half spell as game defining.

In the 44th minute, Cyril Donnellan’s goal was chalked off controversially by referee James McGrath. Four minutes later, Joe Canning struck the butt of the post with a rasping drive when a goal would have levelled proceedings. Then, that savage setback in the 49th minute when Donnellan saw red.