English: They got the break, we didn’t

Having seen his side have victory snatched from them so late, Duhallow manager Ned English was naturally disappointed, but he understood that that was the nature of the beast.

“Sport can be very cruel,” he said.

“It was very cruel today, it was a game that we had and it was just swept away at the last minute.

“Fair dues to Castlehaven, they did it. I can’t fault any of our lads for effort, but in a game as tight as that one break is going to make all of the difference. They got the vital touch to get the goal, and so late for us to do anything about it.

“The first goal was always going to be key, and you wouldn’t mind if it was a goal they split us for but we shouldn’t be conceding goals like that. We did and that’s it.”

That Shane Nolan’s goal came so late left little time for response, and English admitted he felt his side were looking likely champions.

“At that stage, we were in control of the game and I thought that we had done enough to win it.

“In the second half, I think we outplayed them but just didn’t put away some vital chances we could have done and should have done.

“Another day you’ll take those chances but that’s what finals do, they have a habit of doing that to you.

“It’s the first time for a lot of these guys in a final, it’ll stand to them, if they’re good enough they’ll be back, that’s about the size of it.”

In addition, Duhallow can take some small bit of consolation from the fact that this time last year Castlehaven were in the same position following their loss to UCC.

“We can,” English said. “I’m proud of the efforts shown by the lads, proud of the whole season. They have shown that they are one of the best sides in Cork, they weren’t beaten easy today.

“It was a 50-50 game, they got the break, we didn’t, simple as.”