‘Our fellas battled away to the end’ says proud Moloney
SOMETIMES your side are beaten up on a pitch and there is nothing that you can do about it.
You don’t play well, decisions go against you, you fail to live up to pre-game expectations however for Charleville manager John Moloney the first 30 minutes in Croke Park last Sunday couldn’t have been more different as the manager witnessed his side power past Oranmore-Maree and put themselves in the perfect position to take the All Ireland crown – and while the north Cork side ultimately came away with nothing the team mentor was confirming the squad’s bond after the final whistle.
“Look at half-time we thought we were in a fairly good position, but we said we would still have to drive on and get the first couple of scores in the second-half and it seemed to be that they got the first few scores.
“Few sendings off went against us again, but look as we said in the dressing-room there is no-one going to be blamed for anything. We came in together and we go home together and we will be blaming no-one.
“Things didn’t pan out in the end.”
While Moloney was disappointed at the sendings off he was clear that he couldn’t comment as his focus was somewhere else at the time.
“I didn’t see them to tell you the truth, I didn’t see either of them I can’t make a call on them, but look if they are sent off they are sent off. There is nothing you can do about it like.”
Prior to the two dismissals there was a very different feel around Croke Park on the resumption with Oranmore-Maree taking the lead from the throw in.
“It might have been different if we got the first couple of scores (after the break) but we didn’t get them. But even still we seemed to be comfortable, but things just went against us.”
TURNING POINT
Like his coach before him Moloney was full of praise for Oranmore-Maree’s star man Niall Burke who bagged 1-11 on the day with some scintillating hurling but he also felt his side did well on the All Ireland winner for long periods.
“He caught a lot of good ball and did damage, but he didn’t do a whole pile in the first-half and we were happy at half-time at the way things were going.”
The sendings off were ultimately key to the game putting his side under severe pressure but there were other moments when Charleville failed to deliver that if successful could have turned the tide back in the Cork side’s favour.
“I think the second sending off was a big blow, we were doing well up to then, but that gave them a bit of momentum, but before they got the second goal we had a chance and their keeper made a great save and we could have gone back into the lead.
“Once they got the second goal it was over really and time was more or less up at that point so there was no way back really.”
Moloney has battled alongside his young side for plenty years now and left Croke Park deflated but far from defeated.
“Our fellas battled away to the end and we have to praise the for that. As we said inside there now at the start of the year our ambition was to be up senior hurling and that was what we wanted.
“When we won the Munster that was a bonus and today would have been the icing on the cake, but it didn’t happen, but look we are happy with our year up to today.”
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Charleville lads and the locals will get a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the team this weekend.
“We have our club social next Friday night and then we will give the boys a few weeks off and then will get going again for the senior championship and league.
“We will dust ourselves down and get going again.” MAN OF THE MATCH
Honestly, can’t look past the hugely impressive All Ireland Senior hurling star Niall Burke. Playing at wing-forward, Burke hit 1-11 on the day with five points from frees, a goal from the spot and a big ‘65 when the pressure was on. Some of Burke’s interventions were just sensational. A brilliant hurler worthy of the Man of the Match award.
SCORE OF THE MATCH
A few contenders with Darragh Fitzgibbon getting some brilliant scores but Andrew Cagney’s goal before the break was a finish of real class. The corner forward looked to have missed his chance to net but a tight turn and scorching shot gave the Oranmore-Maree keeper no chance. Great goal.
Can’t look past the two second half sendings off. A team of thirteen great players won’t beat fifteen great players. Charleville’s indiscretions when under pressure ultimately cost them the day as Burke and Co smelled blood in the water from a distance out.