Thurles Sarsfields probably best team we played, says Na Piarsaigh's Shane O’Neill

Na Piarsaigh boss Shane O’Neill paid a warm tribute to Thurles Sarsfields after the game.

“Thurles are probably the best team we have played. We knew, particularly, about their forward line, their movement and how strong they were in defence and the systems that they play. We were kind of expecting a particular system in a way but we were prepared if they didn’t and in fairness they didn’t go with it immediately.

“I thought the boys’ application and workrate was just unbelievable. We showed our composure, didn’t panic and just kept tipping away. We couldn’t have asked for any more from the boys.

“I thought our backs stood off their men a small bit, particularly in the first 10-15 minutes. But once we got a hold of it – I don’t think we have come across any movement like that in Limerick at all.

“When we are not particularly used to it we try and bring it into training, but you can’t substitute actually dealing with it in the white heat of a championship match.”

O’Neill says the short turnaround means they won’t have a chance to study their final opponents: “We won’t be looking at Ballygunner, we’ll have to just look at ourselves and deal with what we thought our shortcomings here were throughout the whole game.

“Even championship week training is more short, sharp sessions as opposed to anything major, so it will be something similar.”

The manager also paid tribute to his goalkeeper’s fine first-half save: “That was vital and in fairness Podge (Kennedy) has been making vital saves all year. Though we have conceded more goals than we’d like, they haven’t been his fault.”

O’Neill added that David Breen’s broken wrist means he will not be available for next week.

In the Thurles Sarsfields corner selector Paddy McCormack said: “Na Piarsaigh are a very good side, they are in the Munster final, they are a good club team with a lot of key players. While we led at half-time by three points, I think we knew the second-half… the wind I suppose was a help to them in the second half and we didn’t make enough of it, probably, in the first half.

“They took their chances. We had a chance just before half-time that went over the bar, but if that went in... there is a lot of ifs and buts about this game.

“We have no complaints about anything, everything was top class, the venue, the referee.

“The way Na Piarsaigh facilitated us in putting back the match a week was brilliant for us and it gave us an opportunity. We prepared well, did our best on the day and we are happy enough about that.”