O’Neill:‘We did our job and got over the line, we stuck to our guns’

THERE isn’t much time for Duhallow captain Lorcan O’Neill to bask in the after glow when the 2018 runners up enjoyed a comfortable victory over Clonakilty in their quarter-final assignment. Enjoying an eight point advantage at the break, the West Cork side produced a decent revival yet there was no denying Duhallow.

“We did our job and got over the line, we stuck to our guns and game plan. Its all about assessing it over the next week or so, nobody is getting ahead of themselves, for most of the players, its all about getting back to the clubs,” he said.

The rain descended on the proceedings yet Duhallow operated a neat brand of football particularly in the opening half when operating with the elements.

“The players are experienced to holding the ball, we operated to our strengths, everybody knows when to cross the line and find a gap, holding that ball comes from experience. We approached the second half with a nil all scoreline and attitude, we were disappointed with the mistakes made to allow Clonakily get scores on the board but to be fair, every team gets a purple patch, we probally dropped our concentration levels and Clon obtained scores,” said O’Neill.

Fairness to Clon, they disrupted Duhallow’s momentum during the third quarter yet O’Neill wasn’t too unfazed.

“It was an open and attacking, we adapted by getting players back to support. Our forwards wanted the ball, they put on the pressure, that gave Clon less options, the Duhallow attack deserve great credit for their work,” said O’Neill.

Another club from West Cork, namely Newcestown stand in Duhallow’s path from reaching a decider, opponents that were level with Duhallow on seven occasions when they last met four years ago before Duhallow finished well.

“One thing is for certain, they are a tough outfit, look at their hurlers, the only team to run Imokilly to a point in three years. That’s a credit to them, some of us can’t look to that game just yet for its back to the clubs this week,” said the team captain.

O’Neill comments confirms the positive nature of football in the great Barony, the Divisional team along with their clubs remaining in championship. This weekend, its the senior side that sit out as Ballydesmond, Dromtariffe, Knocknagree and Newmarket attempt to create inroads yet everybody is tuned into a hectic itinerary.

“We will be prepared, there is a great management in place, its all about man management, they wont dog us Against Clon, it was all about wanting to be in a county semi final, we’re there, the next step is about reaching a final, that’s the goal against Newcestown,” said O’Neill.

“Players just love playing week in, week out, it comes after the start of training from early January, slogging it out in the mud three nights a week. The ambition is about playing until the October Bank Holiday weekend, that’s a big date in the Cork GAA calendar,” he said.