Ring already looking ahead
FERMOY manager Denis Ring was typically candid in his assessment of how the game unfolded as he reflected on his side’s defeat, acknowledging that they were beaten by a better team on the day.
He accepted they had a mountain to climb after they fell ten points behind at one stage in the first half, but he didn’t feel their failure to settle quickly was due to any nerves on the part of the players.
“It wasn’t by accident that Bandon got off to a great start, it was simply because they are a very good side, and they completely outplayed us for about 20 minutes in the first half.
“They showed their class for most of that first half, and they showed it again after we came back well to bring the lead down to two points early in the second half. To be honest, there were times when we were just hanging in there, and you’d have to say that Bandon always appeared to have a little bit in reserve,” he admitted.
“I thought they were very impressive physically, their hurling was very good and very sharp, and their forwards caused us a lot of problems from the outset, particularly Michael Cahalane.”
While it obviously meant Fermoy’s task was going to be all the more difficult, Ring revealed he was delighted to see Cahalane, whose playing career was derailed early in 2014 when he was advised to quit on medical grounds, back in action with Bandon.
“Cahalane was a huge thorn in our side, and he’s getting better and better every time he goes out, which is a major plus from a Cork perspective,” he remarked.
In just their second year up from the intermediate grade, it was no mean achievement for Fermoy to quailify for the premier decider, and Ring believes their good run will help to hasten the team’s development considerably.
“It goes without saying, we’re very disappointed with the result today, but Bandon were here against Ballinhassig in 2012, and they knew what it was all about. Maybe you have to lose one to win one, and I certainly feel our lads will learn a lot from this experience.
“I’m very proud to be involved with this group, they are a fantastic bunch of young fellas, and, no matter how much things might be going against them in a game, they will never give up.
“They kept going until the final whistle again today, which is all you could ask of them, and after we got to within two points of Bandon, I thought we were a bit unlucky that a decision or two went against us at that stage.
“As well as that, the Bandon goalie made a fabulous save when we were trying to mount another comeback midway through the second half, but, to be honest, it would have been a steal if we had won the game.
“Physically, we were a little bit out of it, Bandon were much stronger in the tackle than we were, and they are probably three or four years ahead of us in terms of development at the moment.
“The bottom line is we can have no complaints about the outcome, but this is a very young team, and I’m in no doubt they are going to be strong contenders for this title next year, although I’m fully aware we have an awful lot to work on in terms of physicality,” Ring stressed.