O'Loughlin: Soft scores cost us

Clare manager Ger 'Sparrow' O'Loughlin cut a disappointed figure after watching his side cough up a six-point lead on the way to losing 0-22 to 1-15 to Waterford in today's Munster SHC semi-final clash.

But O'Loughlin was heartened by the commitment and will to win shown by his players, saying: "We came down today with a view that we were going to give it everything and we did. I'm not a person that just likes being beaten by three or four points - the team aren't either, they are very deflated in there and I saw it today as a great opportunity.

"We knew that in fairness we were going to give it 100%, and if it was good enough on the day we would take it.

"I couldn't have asked for any more from the lads. It's just a pity that we conceded a couple of soft scores.

"We created a lot more goal chances than they did. If Darach (Honan) had taken that ball that broke off of Fergal Lynch and put it away. He got a good point out of it, but had he got a goal it might have just painted a different picture on the outcome.

"Overall, you would have to be very happy with what we put up to Waterford today."

But the Clare boss, in his first season at the helm, conceded that side will have to learn lessons from today's game if they are to build on this display through the summer and beyond.

"Looking forward I hope we learn from it, bring it forward and bounce back into Division 1 and be able to compete at the highest level over the next two or three years, because we have a panel of lads that are very committed.

"I just hope that we'll take all of the positives out of today."

And O'Loughlin explained that the learning experience is just as steep for him as a manager, as it is for his young players.

"I'm learning every day, I have to say that. What I learned today was that we have a bunch of lads with a very hard work ethic, and they produced that today.

"Any guy we brought on and there were a few lads that we could introduce at any give time as well, and I thought they all worked awful hard.

"You have to learn fast at this, and on a given day you could be picking a different 15. They are all coming through the ranks and as I said, they are a high calibre of player.

"You just need to work on a lot of the touch, quality and the technique. If we do that I'm sure we can advance and go forward in the coming year or two years."