Galway manager, Shane O'Neill, walks past the Bob O'Keeffe Cup after his team were defeated by Kilkenny in the 2020 Leinster SHC Final.
By John Harrington
Galway manager Shane O’Neill admits the concession of two goals in less than a minute cost his team dearly in this evening’s Leinster SHC Final.
The Tribesmen looking to be taking control of the game when they moved five points ahead after 55 minutes of the match, but when Kilkenny veterans Richie Hogan and TJ Reid banged in two goals in the space of 40 seconds the game was turned on its head.
“We’re obviously extremely disappointed not to have won after being five points up,” said O’Neill.
"But Kilkenny are Kilkenny and will never be gone. We were five up and then those two quick goals, they always have that danger. We’re just disappointed we didn’t come out with the victory today .
“We’ll have to look back on it. But even though the two goals went in, the reaction from the lads was very good to actually go two points up then again. And it was after that then again we’ll have to look at what happened there as well. It’s something we’ll go through during the week.”
Galway don’t have much time to recover from this defeat because they’ll play either Tipperary or Clare in the All-Ireland Quarter-Final next weekend.
“Well I suppose we have to look at it in that that’s the Leinster Championship as a competition finished now and we’re now in the All-Ireland quarter-final so it’s a different competition and we’re out next week and it’s about recovery both physically and mentally,” said O’Neill.
“The draw will be made on Monday, I believe, and we’ll just see who the opposition is and hopefully get cracking again next weekend.”
When he reviews the video, O’Neill will be able to find some positives to take from this defeat he can build on for the All-Ireland Quarter-Final.
Galway’s intensity was good for most of the game, with their forwards forcing some big turnovers one a number of occasions. Until those two goals went in, it was a fairly spot-on performance.
“Yeah, we would have been relatively satisfied,” says O’Neill.
“But obviously as management you’re always looking for more and more and more. Overall there is a lot to work on this week obviously. We’ll just have to review the match itself, have a chat with the boys, and have a crack at next weekend."
