Clare boss Davy Fitzgerald had no complaints as he watched his side bow out of the All-Ireland SHC at the quarter-final stage on Sunday.
Fitzgerald was impressed with the Galway performance over the seventy minutes. “I believe they were the better team there’s no doubt about it, it’s a long time since I’ve seen Galway as fired up so fair play to them, they deserve their victory”.
Looking back on the contest, the Sixmilebridge was unhappy with the two goals conceded by Clare, ultimately the strikes from Joe Canning and Conor Cooney would prove to be the difference between the teams.
“We’re very disappointed, we gave up two goals that I wouldn’t be happy about to tell you the truth, got one straight after half-time which put us ten down which was a killer, you should never walk through the middle like that, that’s why we have a sweeper but we didn’t get a chance to get him back quick enough. The first goal that was a puckout down on top of Brendan Bugler and Joe Canning, that’s a no-no, that should never have happened, two of them we blame ourselves for”.
He continued “In saying that the energy and enthusiasm in Galway today was absolutely incredible, the way they tackled and hassled so whatever about ourselves the passion they showed today was first class and from a Clareman I’d like to say well done to them I thought they did very well”.
It’s been a whirlwind week for the three-time All-Star as he underwent minor heart surgery for a second time. He thanked all those who passed on messages of support during the week. “It was a tough week, I’d like to thank everyone, the amount of support was massive and I suppose the most important thing in life is life.
As always Davy had nothing but praise for his Clare players. “We’re wicked dejected in there but I have to say one thing I’m so extremely proud of my guys, they fight unreal and anyone that gives out about them they’re talking through their behind that’s the truth and I’m very proud of them so I am, they’ll give it everything, it wasn’t our best day, I think we’ve lost two games in fifteen or sixteen this year and there’ll be more in them guys to come, very proud of them and from a personal point of view I would sincerely like to thank everyone, tis great to be able to be here today”.