Devastated Cunningham vows that Brigid's players will ‘rise again’

As might be expected, words did not come easily to Anthony Cunningham when the St Brigid’s manager faced the media in the aftermath of last Sunday’s agonising All-Ireland final defeat against Dingle.

But the expression on his face and his general demeanour spoke volumes about the sense of heartache he felt and which was, of course, shared by all the players.

“I have to say I’m completely and absolutely devastated. I can’t say any more. Devastated for the players, the effort they put in,” said Cunningham.

“Devastated for our fans and for the club after all the work that the club have done to get us here. It’s really, really tough.

“It’s a tough place to lose in Croke Park, and it’s extra tough when you lose after extra-time has been played.”

Though accepting that his side was in “a winning position” in extra-time, Cunningham said: “With the way the game has gone now, you can never say never and we needed a great score from Ruaidhrí (Fallon) to draw the game.

“It was just one hell of a game and it was just a see-saw all day. We just didn’t have luck there because we finished up at the wrong end of it,” he continued.

Cunningham admitted his side had missed some chances to increase their lead at different stages, such as after Fallon’s goal.

“We failed to convert a few scores after that. But look, we’ve had an incredible year. They (the players) have given us everything. I’m just so sorry for the players and the supporters. They’re young, they will learn.

“But, you know, congratulations and hats off to Daingean (Uí Chúis), a superb football team.

“It’s such small margins and, in your mind, when you look at it back, what can you say? Again, I can’t say a word to anybody really. Thanks to all our players and our supporters.”

Cunningham said previous comebacks mounted by Dingle during the campaign had no impact on the St Brigid’s mindset as they tried to see out the game.

“I don’t think you’re thinking that. The game is so fast and when you’re playing, you’re in the moment. Yeah, we were in a great position,” he said.

It was put to Anthony that a second All-Ireland final defeat in three years will “rattle” the St Brigid’s players and “hit them hard”.

But despite the “heartbreak”, he insisted: “They’ll rise again. I’ve no doubt about it.”

The outstanding Ruaidhrí Fallon certainly didn’t deserve to finish on the losing side, with Cunningham saying that he had “an exceptional game”.

The experienced manager described Fallon’s two-pointer equaliser in added time at the end of normal time as “a brilliant score from a brilliant player”.

“He gave his heart out there as did all our players. He’s an exceptional talent,” said the Galway native and Curramore resident.

“Yeah, I mean, we had great performances. Conor Hand as well. I can’t say a word to any of them. To be honest, the lads are really disappointed.

“It was a brilliant club game. But finals are there to win. You don’t really care how good or bad the game was as long as you win,” he added.

'History is written by the victors,' as they say, but Brigid's had several heroic performances on the day, though that will be of scant consolation.

In addition to the heroics of Fallon (scorer of 1-6, including a brace of two-pointers), Conor Hand never stopped running at the opposition and he scored three points from play, while midfielder Shane Cunnane contributed 0-5, in addition to putting in a huge shift at midfield.

Dingle’s delighted manager Pádraig Corcoran paid tribute to the contribution St Brigid’s made to an enthralling contest.

“It was a ferocious battle. We thought we were nearly there in normal time and fair play to St Brigid’s; Ruaidhrí Fallon came up and kicked a great score to bring it to extra-time,” he said.

He described Dingle’s All-Ireland success – which came a few months after their first Kerry senior county title in 77 years – as “just fantastic”.

“It’s a fabulous club. We’re a very small club and everybody puts their shoulder to the wheel.

“I’m delighted for the supporters, the people of the town and the community. For this group of players, it has been unbelievable,” he continued.

The success of Daingean Uí Chúis means Kerry have completed a clean sweep of the All-Ireland club football titles this year. An Ghaeltacht (intermediate) and Ballymacelligott (junior) secured silverware for the Kingdom at Croke Park the previous weekend.