Noel Mooney reacts to Allenwood's All-Ireland semi-final defeat

“Really disappointed, we knew Cullyhanna were going to be very strong; to be fair to our lads they certainly died with their boots on, perhaps in the first half we just did not capitalise on some good moves, kicked a couple of bad wides and then switched off, missed a couple of tackles, gave them a few soft frees that let them back into the game.”

The words of Allenwood manager, Noel Mooney, following his side's three point defeat at the hands of St Patrick's Cullyhanna in the IFC Club semi-final at Navan on Saturday.

Noel said he felt “we responded very well to their goal immediately after the throw-in for the second half, just didn't get a score or two when we got on top and they nicked a couple of points on the counters but tremendous efforts from our lads; one or two decisions that might have come our way just didn't but that's life; we knew they were going to be a phenomenal opposition but we were there right to the very end.”

On the early injury to wing forward Aaron Dunne who was forced off after just ten minuets with a nasty collar bone injury, the manager said “Aaron has been popping up with 1-3 or 1-4 or whatever this season; a great link-man, he has great legs and his injury forced us into an early change which we didn't need at that stage; we wish him a speedy recovery.

“On top of that” the manager added “Darragh (Malone) had a bad dose all week and was really under the weather; we probably missed his breaking of the lines as well.”

The manager admitted that the goal at the start of the second half was a real body-blow.
“It was a killer, it really was; I suppose we got tangled up in the throw-in and then were caught ball-watching; we got a chance to clear but didn't but in fairness it was a brilliant finish (from Ross McQuillan) and they did create one of two goal chances earlier in the game, so we had our warning but credit to the lads they have come back all year and they did again today, just didn't get the scores quick enough but we were there right to the end, just one kick of a ball against the worthy champions for the All-Ireland never mind today.”

Noel was quick to point out the support that was at the game “for both teams today but the support from Allenwood has been absolutely phenomenal.

“It has been a brilliant year for Allenwood; one of the targets was to win a county final but we went on and got a Leinster and just a kick of a ball away from Croke Park, what else can you ask from a group of players.”

The manager said he would like to compliment the management team, the club, the officials, everyone has been brilliant; hopefully we can learn and move on.”