Lessons to be learned - but with heads held high

All-Ireland final experiences are rare. They are a novelty, a moment to be savoured.

They are what every hurler and footballer in the country dreams of growing up.

The opportunity to go out and play in Croke Park, head up on the steps of the Hogan stand and lift an All-Ireland title. Seán Desmond got the opportunity to do that with Watergrasshill.

Ciarán Sheehan was denied that with Russell Rovers.

However, he may have missed the opportunity yesterday, but Sheehan isn’t a stranger to winning All-Ireland titles.

The veteran lined out at wing-forward the last time any Cork senior team, in hurling or football – were crowned All-Ireland champions.

That was of course with the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship win in 2010 over Down. You can be sure Sheehan would love nothing more than to have bridged that 15-year gap yesterday.

This group of Russell Rovers hurlers have played in Croke Park twice now. Twice they’ve contested an All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship final.

Twice they’ve fallen short.

DIFFERENCE 

The difference between teams on All-Ireland final day is always miniscule. Seldom is a hammering dished out.

That trend continued, as Cork and Kilkenny renewed their junior club rivalry for a fourth final in five consecutive seasons contested by representatives of the two counties.

The trend of Kilkenny sides emerging victorious also continued, for a fourth time in as many years.

Credit there goes to St Lachtain’s. The Kilkenny champions were outstanding.

Goalkeeper Darren Brennan was immense, centre-back Brian Kennedy pulled the strings in defence. And to little surprise. Their inter-county experience was obvious on the day.

Shane Donnelly was exceptional for bursts, so too was James Maher.

But Russell Rovers will be aggrieved. In many ways they left it behind them. They were capable of more. There were moments in the game that could and should have been converted.

Brian Hartnett’s kicked effort. Luke Duggan Murray’s blocked shot. Josh Beausang’s goal attempt from a free early in the first half.

For an attacking force that have been so relentless all season long, they were far off that mark in Croke Park. But maybe it’s unfair to pin that on their star forwards.

After all, Freshford were the only team who have been able to stop them this season.

Bud Hartnett scored four goals in Rovers’ last three games, Beausang hit two.

Beausang raised one point from play against St Lachtain’s, Hartnett couldn’t get a sniff.

Lachtain’s came with a game plan, and it worked. It doesn’t help either that Rovers lost Paul Lane in the 28th minute. Named at 3 but playing the 6 role – Lane was withdrawn prematurely with an injury.

He left a gaping hole in Rovers’ defence, even if that’s where they were strongest on the day.

A sorrowful end. Nonetheless a campaign the east Cork outfit can be proud of. You win and you learn.