Anthony Cunningham: 'It is a tough place to lose'
St Brigid's manager Anthony Cunningham. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
A lifetime spent playing, training, and managing teams at every level in both GAA codes has taught Anthony Cunningham many lessons.
This AIB All-Ireland Club SFC Final defeat for St Brigid’s against Daingean Uí Chúis will always be classed in the harrowing category for the Roscommon and Connacht champions.
Ahead by two in the closing stages of extra-time, Daingean Uí Chúis finished with a flourish, clipping three on the spin courtesy of Tom O’Sullivan (two) and Mikey Geaney to win an epic.
“We're devastated, I can't say anymore, devastated for the players, the effort they put in, devastated for our fans, and for the county, and for the work the club has done to get us here,” Cunningham remarked.
“It is really, really tough. It is a tough place to lose in Croke Park, but extra tough when you lose it in added time or the extra time that is being played, we were in a winning position.”
Ruaidhrí Fallon had forced extra-time with a remarkable two pointer, but Daingean Uí Chúis eventually prevailed. “With the way the game is gone now, you can never say never,” Cunningham added.
“It was a tremendous score from Ruaidhrí, admittedly, to draw the game. It was just one helluva game, it see-sawed all day. We were in hard luck that we finished up on the wrong end of it, right at the death.”
Following Fallon’s earlier goal, Cunningham acknowledged that opportunities were spurned. “That's true, we failed to convert a few scores after that,” Cunningham said.
“We've had an incredible year, they've given us everything, I'm just so sorry for the players and the supporters. They're young, they will learn. Our congratulations and hats off to An Daingean, they're a superb football team.
“It is so small margins, you play that game 100 or 101 times in your mind, when you'll look at it back. What can you say? I can't say a word only thanks to all of our players and supporters.”
Even though two All-Ireland defeats have been suffered in three years by Brigid’s, Cunningham is adamant a talented crop of footballers will respond. “Heart-breaking, they'll rise again, I've no doubt about that,” he reflected.
