Cunningham proud of Garrycastle display

Garrycastle manager Anthony Cunningham was full of pride for his players after they came within a whisker of their first ever All-Ireland Club SFC title.

Crossmaglen were yesterday chasing a sixth All-Ireland title at this grade and back-to-back All-Ireland wins, but Garrycastle's inexperience on the final stage did not show early on as the first-time Leinster champions foraged ahead and led by 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

The Westmeath club could only add four more points in the second half though, as the sides drew 1-12 to 0-15 and must meet again in a replay.

Cunningham said it was important for his side to set out their stall from the off. "You have to take them on.

Cross have fantastic players right through, and you can’t go out to admire them," he said after the St. Patrick's Day decider at Croke Park.

"The thing with Crossmaglen is they let you play as well. They have some fine, fine players. So have Garrycastle. I'm very proud of them.

"The team that focuses more and learns more from the drawn match in the replay is usually the team that wins. I hope that's us."

Cunningham, who will step away from his managerial duties with Garrycastle after this campaign, now has the continued headache of a dual managerial role, with the Galway senior hurlers also occupying his mind.

It is a welcome headache for the Athlone IT employee nonetheless. He added: "It’s easy when you are in finals. It would have been brilliant to have won, but we are still in the final.

"We still have a great chance to win it. Only two teams can win it, so it’s still there (for the taking)."