Murray urges a period of reflection after twin losses
IT was never likely to be easy for Cork manager Paudie Murray.
Looking after the intermediate and senior sides in two All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park on Sunday was always going to be a challenge for both him and his teams however when both sides made their way into their respective showpiece games Murray was never likely to leave either side take to the field without him standing in their corner.
“I suppose I am really disappointed I have never really had a problem with losing as long as you play to your potential and looking at it now I think that is the one thing that disappoints me as we just didn’t play to our potential,” Murray said of the senior outcome in the media room under the main stand.
“I don’t think we showed enough desire and I thought we were very, very flat. I thought we prepared very well for it and I thought we had all the boxes ticked but I suppose that is why it is so hard to win a three in-a-row.”
In response to a question about whether it is possible to replicate the hunger of a side desperate to win when your own side has been successful, Murray was adamant that being champions should be incentive enough.
“Winning is like a drug. When you win one you want more. Of course you can’t replicate hunger. You have to have that inside. At this stage I just can’t put my finger on it. We went in at half time and our measurements were down 50% from our norm. I suppose that tells you some of the story.”
Cork got off to a slow start to the second half, a fact that also confused and troubled the manager.
“We have always started well in the second half of games and today we didn’t do that either. In fairness to Kilkenny they put it up to us in the second half and didn’t let us back into it. They got their goal at the right time and we were really fighting an uphill battle from that point on.
“I thought our use of the ball was poor out there but I also have to say I was disappointed with the referee. I thought there were decisions there that we should have got but I don’t think that is the reason we lost but I do think the players were very frustrated with the referee today.”
While the loss is obviously hard to take for Murray he was clear that now is not the time for players to make hasty decisions.
“An awful lot of the players have given a lot to Cork camogie and I feel today is not the day to make decisions on the future but if players want to walk away I think you would have to congratulate them on great careers and wish them well but I honestly believe there is an All-Ireland in this team – we have been missing the likes of Julia White through injury this year and with some of those players back this would be an improved team. I would hope that people will reflect over the winter and see then.”
On his own future, Murray was equally non committal but seemed to indicate that his time at the helm may be coming to an end, sooner rather than later.
“I have been here now for five years. I’ll have a good think about it but to be very honest with you there are other things I would like to get involved with as well but today is not the day to make that decision. I have been here five years and given my best so maybe it is time for somebody else.”