"That game was there to be won" says Naas boss Joe Murphy after Kilmacud Crokes defeat

Naas manager Joe Murphy with Naas selector Padraic Cribbin earlier this year, Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

placeholder image — Naas manager Joe Murphy with Naas selector Padraic Cribbin earlier this year, Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

It is never easy for a losing manger to meet the press but especially after a Leinster final and especially after losing a game that could so easily have been won but Naas boss, Joe Murphy, was very generous with his time in difficult conditions on Saturday afternoon.

“Very disappointing” said Joe, adding “that game was very much there to be won; certain stages a bit of inexperience and a lack of clinical finishing cost us; last year they killed us with goals and turn-overs but this year it was points; balls coming off the post; dropping balls short.

“Possession-wise we did well, very well at times I felt but they took their chances, it is as simple as that; they have a couple of top class forwards as we know and we just fell short in that.”

The manager was quick to point out that his side is a very young side “you must take into account that our six starting forwards are all under 23 and most are younger than that again and three of our defenders are also under 23 so really these guys are just learning their trade; they have come through a very good school structure, they have big years ahead of them no doubt but this was just not to be the day.”

Asked if can be sure that these lads will come again next year the manager quickly replied “you can't be sure but knowing the lads as I do I firmly believe there is a fierce resolve, fierce ambition in them but it is a very painful place at the moment but you have to harness that and turn it around; these lads are too young to throw their hat at it yet, they have to shrug the shoulders and get back at it again.”

The manger said that Naas never got into a position to put them (Crokes) under pressure; we never went two points ahead to see how they would react; we seemed to be chasing all day long and against a team of that experience they kill at times; they know when to commit a tactical foul; they know when to shut it off when they are ahead; they protect their lead well; we were a little bit disappointed to be two down at half time and then they got the opening point of the second half but we were still very much in the start.”

Murphy added he felt “we (Naas) could have got a few more frees than we got but that's the game” adding “we got it back to a point, had a chance to level but we dropped one short and they went up and got two of their own; but one thing we can't knock is our effort; we just were not good enough on the day.”