O’Loughlin pleased changes worked

KILMOYLEY team manager Fergie O’Loughlin, whose contribution to the success was considerable, was well aware of the challenge which his side was likely to face in the replay, and having made some big calls in terms of team selection he was obviously delighted for all concerned, given the effort put in by everybody in the squad all season.

“Obviously delighted, I am really pleased for the boys. I think it was maybe another epic county final. We got the upper hand, we were never out of sight, and great credit has to be given to Ballyduff, getting into the game, getting the goal, it put us on tender hooks. But I am just delighted for the Kilmoyley boys, they worked savage hard all year. I have always said, you do that and you get your just rewards and today was that.

“We did (changes in the team selection), and it’s one thing I am emphasising all year, that nobody is safe on the team. We were always going to be pushing lads, the lads showing up in training, showing form, are going to be given a slot.

“We made a few moves today, and I think they worked out. They worked very well and that’s what it is all about. It was always going to be that way (a battle), and I am saying it all week to the lads, it’s going to be a battle. Lads are really going to be focused, closing down, it’s going to be backs to the wall, and with five minutes to go, even if we were six or seven points, it was going to be a battle.

“These fellows are going to keep going at us, and they had a real threat in front of goal, Ballyduff had with Podge Boyle, and there was always a chance that a goal was probably going to come, which we didn’t want, but, great credit to the boys, they were focused today.

“In the overall scheme of things we were probably the better team for the hour. I think we got the breaks today, it paid off and I am delighted for the boys. I always keep saying that you win a Championship, you put one on the back of it, back to back, you’re a super team. There’s no doubt now about being a flash in the pan, a brilliant display.

“Again I have to give some great credit to Ballyduff. They never dropped their heads, kept at it, and pushed us to the pin of our collar again today. We are just delighted to get over the line.”