Updated: Sunday, 08 Sep 2013 21:24 | Comments
Davy Fitzgerald at full-time
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Even the best of us find it hard to reveal our innermost thoughts.
An apt precursor as Davy Fitzgerald went before the television cameras after the drawn All-Ireland hurling final.
While not being specific, the Clare boss felt that key decisions went against his side in their battle with Cork.
A match that ended in a welter of excitement, with Domhnall O’Donovan grabbing the levelling point for the Banner deep into injury time, now ensures that for the second year running the decider goes to a replay.
Fitzgerald realises that he will have a huge job on his hands to lift his side for the replay on 28 September
A number of the Clare panel will be involved in next Saturday’s All-Ireland Under-21 decider against Antrim.
The Clare boss, however, is determined that his troops will be ready for the next day after a 70 minutes where he felt Cork were “presented” with opportunities.
The Rebels were awarded a penalty, and two 21-metre frees – one of which found the back of the net – courtesy of netminder Anthony Nash.
Shane O’Neill could also have seen red after his hurley made contact with Darach Honan’s head in the first half.
Speaking afterwards to RTÉ Sport, Fitzgerald said: “A lot of things went on out on the pitch, but I’m just going to leave it be. We have a replay to get ready for in three weeks time.
“People aren’t blind. I’ll leave it at that and we’ll go to battle again.
“The opportunities that were presented were fairly unreal and they hit us blow after blow, and we kept coming back.
“We have a young team, but the way they bounced back is a credit to them. I’m so proud of them.”
“People aren’t blind. I’ll leave it at that and we’ll go to battle again” – Davy Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was in no doubt that his side should have come out on top in the game.
He added: “I felt we had it won a few times, but Cork pegged us back. Look that’s the way it goes.
“We’re the small fish out there trying to make a breakthrough. It’s harder to get the breaks when you’re the smaller fish.”
The Banner boss was happy with the determination shown by his side in forcing a replay and was somewhat surprised that it was O’Donovan who popped up to fire over the levelling score.
“Didn’t it show some heart from our guys to go up that field and get the equaliser when the game looked over. If I had to pick one guy to do it, I don’t think I’d have gone for Domhnall O’Donovan.
“Fair play to him, he did the business.”
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