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Denis Ring: 'We can have no complaints'

Cork Under 21 manager Denis Ring.

Cork Under 21 manager Denis Ring.

By Cian O'Connell

Leaking an injury time hurt Cork deeply in a dramatic Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 21 Final with manager Denis Ring acknowledging the importance of Tipperary's immense work rate.

The underdogs stunned a heavily fancied Cork outfit starting and finishing the game with a real flourish.

Cork did summon responses at various stages during an interesting encounter, but Tipperary refused to be denied.

Conor Stakelum's late goal ensured it was a devastating way for Cork to lose. "Absolutely," Ring admitted. "We were behind a number of times and responded very well to come back into the game. A late goal like that, it is a sucker-punch and there isn’t much you can do about it.

"It is desperately disappointing. Tipperary, to be fair, kept going and going. Everytime they came up the field, they were a threat.

"We had our chances. We got ahead and we, maybe, could have pushed on from there."

Despite the loss Ring believes the experience will stand to a talented collection of Cork players. "Being part of an All-Ireland is a great experience," Ring reflected. "Obviously, you want to win and it is hugely disappointing for all of us.

"There is no sugarcoating that. At the same time, they are gaining valuable experience every day they are going out. They are improving and developing as players.

A dejected Eoghan Murphy after the game at the Gaelic Grounds.

A dejected Eoghan Murphy after the game at the Gaelic Grounds.

"Some guys, in particular, stood up to the plate, maybe, lesser-known names. That, hopefully, will reap rewards going forward when they move up to senior level."

Ring felt Cork weren't sufficiently clinical landing 1-16 from 33 shots. "Early on, they probably made better use of the wind than we did during the corresponding period in the second-half," Ring stated. 

"There were nerves and they were anxious, but you are going to have that in an All-Ireland final. Both teams made mistakes, to be fair, so they probably balanced themselves out. 

"Early on, a lot of ball went up to our forward line and didn’t stick. They were fast onto the break, they were hungrier on the breaks. 

"Balls went into our forward line in the first-half where we thought we could cause a but of trouble and create a bit of danger, but we didn’t, unfortunately.

"Our lads had a great second quarter and turned the game around, looked to be in a good position. 

"Even in the second-half, they turned it around again when things weren’t going well. When you get hit with a sucker-punch like that during the game, it is very hard to respond. 

"A lot of our lads played particularly well. From our perspective, we can have no complaints. We had our chances. Unfortunately, we didn’t take them when we could have taken them."