Cunningham disappointed but wants fans to drive on players

Anthony Cunningham felt his Galway side were “very, very close” to Kilkenny in yesterday’s Leinster final, and was disappointed they couldn’t get over the line.

“Today was a big day for us. Overall there was very little in it with a few chances we were unlucky not to take. I thought our backs did very well for very long spells of the game.

“Kilkenny are a class act. Everyone knows that. They are All-Ireland champions but we are very, very close to them. Disappointed we didn’t finish out a few chances but that happens.

“David Burke’s goal chance midway through the second half was a key, key moment. Joe (Canning) had probably one or two (chances) after that, Cyril (Donnellan) as well. But if you look at the performances of Johnny Glynn, Iarla Tannian, Daithi Burke, Cyril Donnellan, Johnny Coen, huge performances for us. A huge amount to build on.”

Cunningham also called on hurling fans in Galway to back the team: “We’d be pushing hard for the Galway supporters to come out and drive this team on as there is something to build on.

“You know, the performance of Padraig Mannion there, John Hanbury, new players coming into the team at a very top level. They’re a fantastic team coming on.

“We missed some soft points, probably didn’t get a couple of frees we thought we should have got, just the momentum swung at really critical times. That will always happen in championship matches at championship pace. Very little between us there.” Cunningham stressed the positivity in the dressing-room and his belief they can reach an All-Ireland final as they did in 2012.

“Absolutely. We drove on and got a goal after half-time but when we were in the driving seat to concede one or two simple scores.

“I said to Brian Cody just afterwards, I think we’ll return the favour since 2012, the ball is in our court to do that now - July 26 is D-Day for us now, that’s where we’ll focus on from now on.”

The Galway boss feels his team are stronger now than in 2012: “I think so. Definitely a whack of new players have bedded in very well – the Mannions, Daithi (Burke), all these players up front, Jason’s second season.

“Even the guys a bit disappointed with their performances today are huge contributors to us.

“Joe (Canning) got a goal out of nothing really, that’s the talent that he is. We need him to deliver those goals, when you’re playing the likes of Kilkenny you need that,” he added.