No excuses from Lorrha manager Hogan

By James Hayden

Lorrha manager Ken Hogan made no excuses for his side’s performance following their ten-point defeat to Corofin in Sunday’s Munster Intermediate Hurling Club Championship quarter final in Nenagh on Sunday.

Admitting that his side were not at the peak of their powers for the challenge of the Clare champions, Ken said he sensed in the dressing room beforehand that the same pre-game championship intensity was not in evidence.

“We were slightly apprehensive going in and any information we got we were told they were a fairly formidable team,” he began.

“When you are in unknown territory it’s hard to know how to approach it but even in the dressing room before the match, I felt we were a bit laissez faire in the situation. From our perspective I didn’t sense that real tension associated with championship games.

“We prepared as well as possible and while we don’t pine for excuses, I felt we were definitely off the boil a little bit today.

“However, these guys have been brilliant all through the year and have been fantastic in what they have given and their commitment to the club.”

The Lorrha manager also paid tribute to Corofin and acknowledged that the better side were the victors on the day.

“We have had a whirlwind two years and I suppose we hit a road stop today,” he continued.

“In fairness to Corofin they were a really fabulous, fit, and fast group of players and you would know they are a dual club, and they know how to use the ball. They played very well in the wintry conditions, and we have to take our hats off and say that the better team won.

Agreeing that Lorrha have a lot to look forward to in 2024, Ken said the club and the players will now turn their focus to preparing for next year’s Tipperary senior hurling campaign.

“It’s a disappointing day for us but we’ll learn from it, and we will go back now to the gyms for the winter and the spring and get organized again for next year,” he added.

“As a group of players, I can’t say one word against them. We have had great days and I think we were seventeen matches unbeaten up to today. We hit a blip today, but we have to accept it.”

Regarding how the game panned out and the fact that Lorrha trailed by just four points at the break, and quickly whittled the deficit down to just a solitary point after the restart, Ken said the message at half-time was to keep the composure.

“The message was to keep our composure and take the scores,” he said.

“It was a high-scoring game considering the wintry conditions and we didn't expect to concede the scores we did. The second goal was a killer for us and when we had an opportunity to get the equalizer, it went out by the post, so we never had that opportunity to go ahead.

“We are disappointed that we didn’t play to our potential, but Corofin are a well drilled team and I suppose we just got caught today. No excuses, in fairness Corofin were the better team today.”