Moneygall’s O’Brien salutes Lorrha on their win

By Liam Hogan

Moneygall manager Paul O’Brien saluted Lorrha on the win in Sunday’s County Intermediate Hurling final.

The size of the victory did little justice to Moneygall.

“We knew it was going to be a savage effort from the lads,” O’Brien began.

“We are devastated. We came in here missing three players, Jack Kirwan, James Carroll and Eoin Whyte and they were very important men.

“This is not taking away from Lorrha’s win. They are an incredible team. We knew we were written off all over the county and we knew we had a point to prove after what happened in the meeting last July in Roscrea.”

The good start for Lorrha was a difference as their two early goals put Moneygall on the back foot.

“They had the wind, but we regrouped,” O’Brien added.

“We don’t have excuses. We had goal chances, but their goalkeeper pulled off two great saves. I know we were always playing catch up after we left the defence wide open after trying to attack the game.

“But we are turning this group of players into contenders. The average age is twenty-three years old. The future is bright, and we hope we take this into next year. These players are great warriors. We have Liam Carroll and Cathal Greene. Greene is nineteen and should be on the Tipperary under 20 panel.

“The panel has proven themselves in the North for the past two years. The future is good. The under 17s won the county final but today we didn’t do ourselves justice.”