Mulcahy: We failed to push on

Failure to hit the front when in control proved decisive in Cork IT’s unsuccessful bid for a first Fitzgibbon Cup title, manager Pat Mulcahy said.

Having played second fiddle for large spells of the opening period, three adrift at the interval (0-10 to 0-7), there was a far greater purpose to CIT at the change of ends, with Mark Ellis, John O’Dwyer and Conor Hammersley splitting the posts in quick succession to level proceedings by the 37th minute.

Momentum had swung in favour of Mulcahy’s outfit, evident by the increased intensity of their endeavours and dominance now exerted by the CIT half-back line, particularly Mark Ellis, but, try as they might, a fourth white flag on the bounce proved a step too far.

“If we had got ahead with the way Waterford were set up we probably stood a great chance of holding on,” said Mulcahy.

“The fact that we never led meant we were always on the back foot. They picked off a few scores in the end but I don’t think the scoreboard reflected the match itself.

“I felt if we got the lead at all we had a chance. It would have forced them to come out and attack. We never got to that point, though. We were always chasing the game. We did level it, but from our point of view that was as good as it got.

“We are gutted. It just didn’t happen for us. Waterford were the better side. Maybe their experience helped. They started better, they handled the fact that they had played yesterday better than we did.”

Fumbling possession and countless stray passes summed up CIT’s opening efforts, their first score arriving 11 minutes in, and Mulcahy claimed his charges struggled with the after-effects of their semi-final victory.

“I don’t know was it nerves early on. Beating UCC yesterday we were very aware of what that would take out of us. But I think the build up to that match was so big that maybe it affected some players.

“The first 20 minutes in the final we were very close to things coming off, getting off that final pass and taking our score, but we just weren’t quick enough and Waterford got the tackles in and they went four clear early on.

“Overall we rushed a few shots and we weren’t as composed as we were against UCC. We were chasing the game from start to finish. When you are chasing the game you tend to make mistakes.”

Colm Bonnar pointed to WIT’s late spurt as critical in the win, acknowledging also the importance of preventing CIT from gaining even the slightest of leads.

“It was hugely significant when Harry Kehoe went up and got a point to put us back in front following their purple patch,” said the victorious manager. “Their forwards are very mobile and very fast and so had they gone a point or two ahead and had the game opened up we would have been in trouble.

“To be fair, when we got the next score or two it put the pressure back on them. In the last three or four minutes then with the new hooter system they were forced to go for goal. Overall, it is just an unbelievable feeling.

“They are a special group. They mightn’t be the best players on paper, but as a team they did terrific. That is what Fitzgibbon is all about, a team taking on responsibility.

“We had lost so many big names [from last year] and Fitzgibbon is about defence. We had good forwards on paper, but the six backs that came together there played excellent.”