AFTER HIS SIDE’S ten point defeat to Tipperary in today’s All Ireland hurling semi final, Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy didn’t hold back, saying that many of his players had been eclipsed by their Tipperary counterparts.
Cork came into the game with high hopes having won the Munster title, but the five week lay off looked to sap some of the momentum from JBM’s side.
“I don’t want to take away from Tipperary but our display was poor today. Too many of our players were comprehensively outplayed throughout the field and when that happens you are plugging gaps everywhere. We just weren’t good enough on the day.” Barry-Murphy said.
After getting to an All Ireland final last year, and winning a Munster crown this year, many had tipped Cork to win the ultimate prize this September. And despite acknowledging that today’s performance wasn’t good enough, JBM still praised the commitment of his players during his second tenure.
“The lads have been great for us over the last couple of years and we have all had days like this when it doesn’t go for you. That is the reality of sport.”
After the Munster final Cork fans would have been hoping that the provincial title would be a stepping stone rather than the highlight of the season. And while Barry-Murphy admits it was nice to bring the Munster championship back to Cork, ultimately he will be judged by how many All Ireland titles his team deliver.
“The Munster title is some consolation but it doesn’t feel like that today because in Cork you are judged by the All Irelands that you win. We have just fallen short as a management team and that is the reality we are facing. Not everyone can be a winner and Tipp deserve great credit. They have great players that can punish you and they did that today.”
