CORK BOSS JIMMY Barry-Murphy admitted last night their ‘luck eventually ran out’ and they defeated by a better side in new All-Ireland champions Clare.
Cork lost a terrific encounter in Croke Park by 5-16 to 3-16 and the Rebels manager admitted that the Banner were deserved victors.
“Our luck eventually ran out. We were beaten by a much better team on the day. On both days, I’ve got to acknowledge, they deserved it. My initial thoughts are that we were playing catch-up from the word go.
“If we’d taken our chances when we got back level, it might have been a different story, but we didn’t. It’s tough for us.
“But on both days you have to acknowledge they were the better team. We’ll take our defeat like men and we’ll move on.”
Fightback
Barry-Murphy hailed his side’s attitude in fighting their way back into the game after trailing by eight points in the 26th minute.
“After going eight points down, our performance in the ten minutes before half-time and after the break – our lads were outstanding. We made some changes and the subs who came in made a difference.
“It’s not a cliche, but they were fantastic for us both days, showed tremendous spirit, showed fabulous pride in Cork hurling. They’ve been fantastic for us all year and I couldn’t fault them by one iota.
“Eight points is a huge lead but the spirit and attitude the lads showed was great. I’m sure it was a great game for people to watch, but we are where we are.”
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Barry-Murphy revealed he was aware before the game of the threat that Clare’s hat-trick hero Shane O’Donnell posed.
“We heard before the game (he was starting). He got a goal against us in the league in Páirc Uí Rinn. He’s a very good player and posed a lot of problems.
“But in fairness it was the quality of the ball coming into their full-forward line which caused us problems. They got the goals and in fairness they were brilliant scores. They just had too much firepower for us.
“Up to ten minutes before half-time we were struggling, not winning enough (ball) and their midfielders and half-back line were launching quality ball, which caused us problems. Then we got back into the game but our luck ran out.
“You can’t legislate for someone like Shane O’Donnell getting three goals, that’s just something that happens. Credit to Clare, they got great scores.”
