Teddy McCarthy 'looking down on us in the last minute of the game', says Sarsfields boss Crowley

Crowley smiled that McCarthy may have had an influence in Mark McGuigan’s additional time goal attempt going over the bar. “In a funny way, Teddy was certainly looking down on us in the last minute of the game, maybe it was Teddy blew it over the bar as opposed to them putting it over it.

“But look, yeah, it’s great for Teddy, it’s the one missing element of the whole thing, Ted, and Conor McCarthy, Ger Mohally like, three absolutely tremendous clubmen in three different ways.

“Teddy was a national treasure, really; Conor McCarthy (father of Cathal) was a club treasure. I mean the work that Conor did and played with the club; and Ger Mohally was an incredible administrator so it’s for the likes of them today.

“It’s a pity, God, I’d give my right hand for Teddy to be here today but, look, I think he’s looking down on us and I’m sure he’s the proudest angel in the sky at the moment.” 

Sarsfields’ bench contributed two points and in a tight encounter they were vital, Crowley stressed. “It wasn’t as dramatic as Shane (O’Regan) the last day but it was probably even more important because it was such a low scoring game. Three or four points today probably magnituded to 2-3 in a Munster final.

“Credit to all the lads, we keep saying to them that we have a panel of 37 fellas training and we’ll do the same next Tuesday night, it’ll be the fellas who are putting their hands up who will get the reward. You see there today, Liam Healy came on, Killian Murphy was outstanding when he came on, Craig Leahy was outstanding, disappointed from being dropped the last day.” 

Slaughtneil manager Paul McCormack described the defeat, the club’s fifth All-Ireland semi-final defeat, as “cruel” and “heartbreaking”.

He said: “You know, it wasn't a pretty game, but we were in it. Nobody could tell me there was any difference between the two teams. It's just, just, it's just so, it's just cruel, it's sports cruel at times there. You put in so much and then you fall off, fall short just by one or two small wee breaks the ball or incisions or plays.” 

McCormack took exception with some of the calls made by referee James Owens especially with the amount of steps taken by Sarsfields player. “Thought we were harshly done by a few times, you know.

“Referee was… it was nearly like a polar opposite, the first half, the second half, but it was the same for both teams, I suppose. Nobody really knew what he was doing or what he was going to blow. Maybe we got a few harsh calls, maybe they'll say the same.”