SO CLOSE… Frustration on the face of Dominic Corrigan as his St Michael’s team concede a late goal.
“Obviously disappointed at losing the game but realistic enough to accept that we were facing a very good side,” said St Michael’s manager Dominic Corrigan as he assessed his side’s emphatic defeat to St Colman’s at Emyvale on Sunday.
St Michael’s exited the competition at the play off stage beaten on a scoreline of 3-11 to 2-7 but that scoreline perhaps disguises the real pattern of this contest.
For at one stage in the early minutes of the second half St Michael’s were staring down the barrel of a major reversal as they slumped a dozen points adrift.
“It could have been a case of finishing with a scoreline of double figures but thankfully the boys knuckled down and produced a good response over the final period of the game,” said Corrigan.
“You would have to admire St Colman’s for they had a side that had a number of marquee players. They were just too strong for us and you get days like that.
When it happens you just have to hold your hand up and acknowledge it.”
So a disappointing day for St Michael’s but as always there are positive points to be taken from any game.
“We were pleased to make it through to this stage of the competition”, said Corrigan.
“It really would have been a disappointment had we departed prior to Christmas.
“The boys worked extremely hard and deserved to make it through to the play-offs and of course this is a learning experience.
“As I’ve said about MacRory, a lot of it has to do with players getting exposure to taking on some really good players.
“It shows the standard that they have to aim for. The level that you have to reach.
“We have perhaps half a dozen of the panel available for next year and they will have benefited from this season’s experience,” said Corrigan.