Darcy laments disappointing end to U23 campaign

By Joe Scully

It was a disappointed and magnanimous Tipperary manager Bryan Darcy following his sides heavy defeat at the hands of Cork in the semi-final of the All-Ireland Under 23 Camogie Championship on Sunday.

The Nenagh Eire Og clubman had no complaints about the result and felt his side were beaten by the better side.

“You can analyse the game all you want but Cork were the better team on the day, they outplayed us, they were physically stronger than us, and we just have to take it on the chin and hopefully learn from it going forward in the future,” he said.

“Obviously you’re disappointed after losing a semi-final, but I’m more disappointed for the players that are there, because they have put in a massive effort all year, and have done all that’s been asked of them.”

While Cork were far the better team throughout, their third goal just after half time, while leading by nine points was a crucial score as it seemed to end any hope of a Tipperary comeback.

“Cork got the breaks and that goal with it coming off the post, and down in front of the Cork player all she had to do was tap it in, and those breaks made it kind of hard, to claw back that first half lead Cork had built up,” Darcy added.

“We had a good chance if that goal didn’t go in but look that’s the way sport goes and you just have to move on.”

Despite the defeat, Darcy couldn’t have been any prouder of his team not just for the effort on the day, but throughout the year in which they won the Munster title and only lost two games, both to Cork in recent weeks.

“All year these girls, training wise, match wise, everything that has been asked of them there has never been an issue,” Darcy said.

“We have been in situations where we needed to dig out results, whether its draws or wins and we done that, but today wasn’t the day for them, Cork were the better side and we wish them all the best of luck in the final.”