Manager Murphy: ‘I think the future is bright for St Brendans’

ST Brendans manager Seamus Murphy was certainly loud in his praise of his charges, gracious in defeat and complimentary of the opposition, along with being optimistic about the future for the divisional combination.

“Very disappointed that we didn’t get over the line. Look, we threw everything at Kerins O’Rahillys, in a pulsating game. We gave ourselves a mountain to climb, to be frank about it, in the first fifteen minutes, whereby they had three goals.

“I think it was at one stage, they were nine points ahead, and, I thought it was going to be one of those days, bu, in fairness to the lads they lifted themselves, they dusted themselves down, they played some good football, and, got some great scores.

“We tried gallantly and unfortunately every time we thought we were back in it, Strand Road just pushed the boat out that little bit further and ultimately they just caught us by two points in the finish.

“To be fair, they had a few tactics, they were switching in and out, they caught us certainly for two sucker punches and I thought we settled again, but Tommy Walsh got his fist to another goal.

“I give great credit to the Brendans guys. They lifted themselves at half time. We were five points down, they lifted the siege, Strand Road got the first point of the second half, we battled back.

“We probably needed a goal, that we ultimately didn’t get, and that was the difference between the sides. There was a little bit of [a lack of composure], but I would have to give great credit to the O’Rahillys defence.

“They set up a strong shield, they were able to pull men back, the likes of David Moran and Tommy Walsh who were able to assist their backs. We tried to get in and get that score, we tried with a ‘45 it didn’t come off for us. Look, that’s football, that’s sport and that’s why we are playing it, I suppose.

“We lost Jack [Barry], Kevin [Shanahan] and Trevor [Wallace], but that’s no excuse. The fifteen fellows we had out there they are of an equal standard, we have a fine panel going forward, we have a lot of young players, the likes of Diarmuid O’Connor and these guys.

“They are the future of St Brendans and I am proud of the way they played, and great credit to Strand Road on a fine win. We got a good response this year to be frank about it, the club side here tonight had that extra piece of cuteness over us, I suppose they have been together all year, and indeed before that.

“St Brendans are working well at Minor and Under 21 level, they lost the minor final last year by a point to a strong East Kerry side and those fellows are going to be coming through and I think the future is bright for

St Brendans.”