Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett lamented a game of two halves following their defeat at the hands of Eire Og Inis in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship.
They lost out 0-20 to 1-13 in the end in Ennis, and Hassett says while their first half performance ultimately cost them, some of their second half showing was as good as anything they’ve ever produced.
“We weren’t happy with the first half. Things we said we’d do, we didn’t really. We dropped a few short, didn’t show enough patience, and we shot too early at times. We didn’t win a single break,” Rathgormack manager Kenny Hassett said after the match.
Despite the early struggles, Hassett was full of praise for the response from his players in the second half.
“The lads knew at halftime that for us to get the result, we needed to step up – and they did. The first 20 minutes of the second half was as good a football as we’ve played in my four years with them. Maybe we expended too much energy, but credit to Éire Óg—they steadied the ship and got the scores that won them the game.”
Mark McInerney starred for the home side, scoring an impressive 16 points to keep Rathgormack at bay. Though the Waterford champions briefly seized the initiative with a two-pointer from Jason Curry, Éire Óg responded quickly, maintaining their lead to secure a semi-final spot. Hassett acknowledged the difficulty of the schedule leading into the match.
“We had a tough couple of weeks – semi-final two weeks ago, final last week. When we came up here today, we were expecting to win. We did fall short, but my God, those lads put in a serious performance. As a game of football, it was outstanding for November. Both teams really went at it. The pitch was fantastic despite all the rain, and both teams like to go for it, which made it a great spectacle.”
Despite the loss, Hassett celebrated the efforts of his team and the pride of their parish.
“Three-in-a-row county champions is a record in itself. We lost three finals previously, but these lads gave everything for the jersey, their families, the parish, and me over the last number of years. It didn’t go our way today, but that’s sport.”
Looking ahead, Hassett turned his focus to the Rathgormack ladies’ team – Comeragh Rangers, who continue to chase All-Ireland glory later this month when they take on Galway’s Kilkerrin-Clonberne.
“They’ll get our full support like last week. It was a special weekend when we won the county title and they won Munster on the same day. Hopefully, the girls can make it even more special. It’s a great parish – whatever the code, the sport is always there. The support drives everyone on, and you could hear it today; it was incredible. It really puts the hair on the back of your neck.”
