Paudie Murray 'disappointed' but can take positives from St Finbarr’s fightback

St Finbarr’s left it late to seal a second-half comeback in Sunday’s Red FM Division 1 Hurling League clash against Carrigtwohill.

The Barrs found themselves nine points down at half-time but equalised late on to avoid defeat in their final game of the league campaign.

But for boss Paudie Murray, he was left frustrated with aspects of his side’s performance in the 1-26 to 2-23 draw.

“Overall, I think we are probably disappointed. You know, in the first half, I thought we moved the ball up the field quite well, but our execution let us down. I thought that we left probably four or five scores after us. 

“Obviously, the conditions did not help the game. It was too stop-start, you know. Obviously, poor Seán Walsh getting what looks like a bad injury, and we wish him well, but I suppose that took another five or six minutes out of the game, you know. 

“So yeah, overall, I think I'm disappointed.” 

Despite the clear frustrations, there were takeaways for Murray from the comeback with Cork pair Ethan Twomey and Ben Cunningham to the fore.

“Yeah, look, I suppose we moved the ball quite well at times. Our delivery probably should be a bit quicker. Look, there's areas that we need to work on. 

“It was good that we had a couple of guys back today that we have not seen for a long time. So, you know, we've plenty of work to do now for the next four weeks.” 

DEEPER

Sunday’s result confirms St Finbarr’s sixth-place finish in the Division 1 standings. Murray reflected on a positive few months for the Barrs.

“Look, I suppose the league has to be very positive with our Premier, Juniors and Seniors. 

“We're obviously down a lot of players. I think we have had upwards of 15-16 guys involved with Cork from January to now. 

"So, you know, we have had to navigate all that. We have to navigate the dual player situation as well. 

“I think we ended up mid-table, and I'm looking at it at the moment that I think that our panel is

probably stronger than where it has been, so you've got to look at that as a positive.” 

Next up for St Finbarr’s is the Championship, starting in August. The Barrs are once more leading contenders in the Premier SHC, and preparation will soon commence for the Togher outfit.

The opener is against Midleton, last year's runners-up who reached the league final against Sars after winning all their games.

I suppose the first thing is to get out of our group, which will not be easy. 

"We have Midleton in the first round who are absolutely flying it at the moment, and I suppose looking at it, they probably have double the training sessions that we will have done and with probably 90% of their squad.

“We’re really trying to get everyone back from Cork, etc. So yeah, look, it'll be a big task for us.”