Doyle: 'I was quietly confident the only team that would beat Tullogher was Tullogher'

On the other hand, Denis Walsh, manager of St Catherine’s, couldn’t have been prouder in the wake of defeat.

BLACK AND AMBER MAGIC: Tullogher Rosbercon’s players and staff celebrate with the cup. Pic: Ken Sutton, Inpho

Tullogher Rosbercon manager Michael Doyle declared he was quietly confident coming into Saturday’s All-Ireland club JHC final.

“I felt this pitch was made for this Tullogher team, it was immaculate,” he said. “It was like a playground for our forwards once they got out. Having watched their (St Catherine’s) games and our games, I was quietly confident the only team that would beat Tullogher was Tullogher.

“I reckon there are nine or 10 of the lads who have played minor hurling for Kilkenny, so that is a fair standard to be stuck down in junior with that calibre of players.

“We had five or six starters that played in Croke Park. Even though the other lads hadn’t played there, they can lean on that. There was no one out on the pitch beforehand looking out in awe. Walter (Walsh) spoke to the group and he said you are going up to Dublin to play a match on a hurling pitch.

“I know the second-half went a bit flat and petered out, but we put our best foot forward in the first-half.” 

Denis Walsh, manager of St Catherine’s, couldn’t have been prouder in the wake of defeat.

“We were 10 points down early on. The damage was done and we couldn’t make headway anywhere. We looked lethargic, which I don’t think we were. They made us look that way.

“Their big guns played very well. Walter (Walsh) had a great game, Conor Hennessy and young Glennon (Danny). If they had a few fellas malfunctioning, it would leave you in the game.

“Tullogher lost the final 15 years ago and one of their mentors just said to me, they are more than a junior team. They have a lot of potential and they had no injuries.

“But we have no excuses. I’m delighted we got five subs on as well. Everyone put their shoulder to the wheel. We didn’t die a death, we kept fighting. We have created history for the club.

“We’ve just saluted our own supporters, there is a huge crowd. My job now is to bring them back down to earth and get going again.

“Seven U20s started and a few more came in.

“Dan Mangan and Darragh Morrison are being operated on in the next couple of weeks, so we will keep the show going, This has given us a bit of life. We were struggling for a few years, so there is a fair bit of momentum.

“The camogie team were back in the semi-final too.”