Gracious Crowley laments the tide that never turned Sars' way

The Sarsfields boss wondered if the Croke Park occasion got to his players.

Sarsfields manager Johnny Crowley with his daughter Hoillie after the defeat to Na Fianna in the AIB GAA hurling All-Ireland senior club championship final at Croke park. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

It is never easy for a losing manager to face media examination but Johnny Crowley is as gracious in defeat as victory. The Sarsfields boss does his best to address their devastating 2-23 to 0-20 All-Ireland senior hurling club championship loss.

“We just didn’t perform,” he sighed. “Whether it was Croke Park, whether it was just the occasion? You (only) have five or six lads that have experienced this monster that is Croke Park. We trained here yesterday for half an hour, we did a small bit of striking. We were hoping that might take the sting out of it.