Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett: If I speak, I'll be in trouble

Hassett believes his side should have been awarded a free late on in their narrow loss to Dr Crokes on Sunday.

IF I SPEAK...: Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett during the AIB Munster GAA Senior Club Football Championship semi-final. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile.

Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett felt that Francis Roche should have been awarded a late free in Sunday's one point loss to Dr Crokes.

In the 59th minute, the substitute went to ground under two challenges in front of goal but referee Niall Quinn instead signalled a free out for over carrying.

The Waterford side lost the free count 11-3 in the first half with one of the Rathgormack water carriers receiving a yellow card for his protests. Hassett was reluctant to discuss the performance of the officials afterwards.

"José Mourinho once said 'if I speak, I'll be in trouble.' Look, you're bringing it up with me so it's obviously a conversation that's been had in the pressbox," said Hassett.

"I didn't know the stat that it was 11-3 at half time. I thought Francis Roche at the end, as you say, should have had a free. He was going down on a ball and two lads converged on him.

"Look, maybe the small counties don't tend to get these decisions sometimes. I don't know. I did speak so hopefully I don't get in trouble!"

He agreed that the Shane Murphy save from Peter Walsh was a key moment.

"We didn't even get a point out of it. I thought when he hit it up in the air that it might have dropped over the bar. A goal at that stage would have been massive.

"It would have given us extra energy, you could feel that off the crowd. It was a great save from him. A bit disappointed we didn't get a point out of it but c'est la vie."

Hassett was heartbroken to miss out on a maiden Munster final but he hailed the efforts of his players throughout the year.

"It's not just what people see today or the day of the county final. It's the recovery sessions, it's the gym sessions, it's turning up for training and being there early, improving themselves and living their lives the way it needs to be lived if you want to reach these levels.

"My words to them before we came away was what they've given this jersey, they should be proud of it. Their families should be proud of them and they should be proud of themselves because they've given an awful lot.

"Next year will roll around and they'll be there again."