Cunningham: Cats were 'tremendous'
Anthony Cunningham was left to reflect on an action-packed five-minute period during yesterday's All-Ireland SHC final replay which severely dented Galway's chances of overhauling Kilkenny.
As the twists and turns came thick and fast at Croke Park, Cyril Donnellan had a goal chalked off after referee James McGrath called play back for a free and the woodwork than came to Kilkenny's rescue as Joe Canning hit a post.
Donnellan's subsequent dismissal for a wild swing at JJ Delaney left the Tribesmen fighting an uphill battle, at the conclusion of which the Cats had run out comfortable 3-22 to 3-11 winners.
"Those three things, small things like those change matches, sure," said Galway manager Cunningham afterwards.
"For Cyril's shot, why the referee stopped it or whatever, well that's his call, but we were very, very unfortunate not to have got the goal at that period because we felt we were on top at the time.
"Then a tremendous shot by Joe, off the foot off the post and out the field. Then Cyril's red card. It was a hard match, but I don't think it was in any way dirty.
"Maybe Cyril was unfortunate, as he was our top forward there in the first half - he'd a great chance of a goal before half-time as well.
"We fought back well in the first half, got two great goals, and were extremely happy at half-time and just needed to drive it on.
"We drove on there in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but the few chances then that we could have got went a-begging. We fought tremendously hard and we're extremely proud of our players for the effort they put in."
Although they ended up with three goals, two quick-fire efforts from David Burke and a late one from substitute Johnny Glynn, Galway were left to rue those missed goal-scoring opportunities - especially when Kilkenny got into their scoring groove.
Henry Shefflin finished with 0-9 on the way to securing a record ninth All-Ireland medal, while Richie Power, debutant Walter Walsh and substitute Colin Fennelly rammed home goals at crucial stages for the Cats.
Cunningham had no complaints though, admitting that 'you need to get all those chances' and that the best team won'. It was his team's third defeat of the season to Kilkenny, the other losses coming in the Walsh Cup and Allianz League.
But July's superb 10-point Leinster final victory over Brian Cody's men and the drawn All-Ireland final gives Cunningham the belief that his developing side can go on to topple Kilkenny and lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup in the near future.
He took some consolation in finishing as runners-up to arguably the best team to ever come out of Kilkenny, adding: "They are tremendous athletes, tremendous hurlers, just born to play hurling really. When you love the game like us, play seven nights a week, it's just sad we're not 21 again, to be able to match them out there.
"Like Henry Shefflin winning his ninth medal. What tremendous players. Eoin Larkin, Richie Power. Their defenders, Tommy Walsh, Brian Hogan, JJ (Delaney). I mean they're idols in our books, and anyone that plays hurling, they're the guys at the very top.
"I suppose it's one piece of consolation, to be the second best team in Ireland, to this super team.
"But we'll stay knocking on the door. We beat them in a Leinster final this year. We'll want to beat them in an All-Ireland next year, that will be the aim."
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