Daly disappointed with result, but hopeful for Dublin's future

Dublin senior hurling manager Anthony Daly was left reflecting on a frustrating four-point defeat at Croke Park, as his side's Championship challenge was ended by reigning champions Tipperary.

No more than four points separated the sides over the course of the 70-plus minutes of action, but Tipp had just a little bit more in reserve to advance to their third All-Ireland decider in as many years.

Daly may have been disappointed that Dublin missed out on their first All-Ireland final appearance since 1961, but he was still immensely proud of his troops.

"I am just very disappointed, proud as well. Disappointed to come so close and not to get there. I am awful proud of the boys as well," he said.

"To a man they stuck to the task and probably a bit of poor decision-making at times cost us. Probably Tipp were that more economical and of course they got the early goal (from Lar Corbett).

"Funnily enough the early goal can sometimes lead to an extra bit of complacency for a team that maybe was a bit complacent, which would be natural for them and the way they were written up all week."

Daly felt the Dubs certainly answered their critics, who had given them no chance given Tipperary's Munster final mauling of Waterford.

"Driving home from last week's semi-final it was a good thing the motorway was wide anyway. The way some fellas were giving us no chance at all," mused the former Clare captain.

"We are Walsh Cup champions and National League champions. There was great pride in the boys.

"The only day we didn't perform this year was in the Leinster final. We were very disappointed that evening and promised ourselves we would perform today. Certainly I think we did that on the day.

"Near misses are hard enough to take to be honest. An All-Ireland semi-final and me don't seem to get on at the moment.

"It's hard to add it all up in the few minutes after it. We did win so many personal battles and fellas had great games, but Tipp were clinical at times that we weren't. We just took the wrong options at times I felt.

"We had worked on a bit of a system for the last couple of weeks and while it worked to a good degree, still at times if we took better options...

"I think it only comes from the experience of being in big days like this. It is Dublin's first time in a semi-final in a long, long time and I think it will stand to lads being in it. Again, it is no great consolation tonight to be honest."

Earlier in the day the Dublin minor hurlers advanced to an All-Ireland final thanks to a 6-19 to 5-13 win over Waterford.

Daly says that victory, coupled with the performances of the senior side this year and the Under-21s contesting an All-Ireland semi-final next weekend, bodes well for the future of hurling in the capital.

"The minors had a great win (today) and the Under-21's can hopefully get a victory next week and get to the final. There is huge optimism out there alright."

However, he knows it will be difficult for his side to reach the heights of an All-Ireland semi-final in 2012.

"It is getting harder every year. With Antrim and Galway coming into Leinster it is getting harder and harder.

"But there is no doubt about it that Dublin hurling is going in the right direction," he insisted.