Smyth proud as U18 starlets show true Rebel spirit

In today’s success-or-nothing world, filled with soundbytes about how the runners-up are merely the first losers and winners never quit, it’s easy to overlook or belittle achievements.

Take the Cork U18 ladies football team. They managed to reach the All-Ireland final but lost by five points to a strong Galway side. While manager Robbie Smyth would obviously have liked to have led the team all the way to national glory, he is philosophical and rational enough to accept 2014 was still a successful year for the team.

“When you look back, you do consider it a bit of a failure, when the one thing on your mind was to go and win an All-Ireland,” he said.