Kilkenny SHL: 'Tough to take' – Murphy hails determined Danesfort after ending difficult start
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Full match reports and reaction will be available in the next edition of the Kilkenny People
Kilkenny four-time All-Ireland winner and Danesfort centre back, Paul Murphy, has hailed his side’s response to a difficult start to their St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League campaign.
Last year’s intermediate champions secured their first points of Group B after recording a 1-19 to 1-17 win over O’Loughlin Gaels in Páirc Lachtain on Thursday evening.
“The result is fantastic, but it was just really the performance we were happy with,” Murphy commented after the match.
“The first two losses were very tough to take because, in fairness to Tullaroan, in the last ten minutes they closed out the game really well. Against Erins Own, we were up by six and, in fairness, Erins Own never gave up. The last goal that was gotten was a sickener because it was right there to be won.
“Turning around then to the Dicksboro match, I'd say there was probably a bit of a hangover really from the emotion of losing the first two matches. The ‘Boro did what the ‘Boro do best — they were just lightning fast. Once they got the few goals there, we really dropped the heads. That was really it,” he continued.
“You could come out and put in a big performance against O'Loughlin's and they'd still beat you by six points, but we got the few breaks there and we managed to take our scores,” Murphy added.
“The performances we put in the first two matches probably would have got you over the line to win at intermediate, but it doesn't at senior, particularly in the group we're in,” the club veteran claimed.
“In the first three matches, our mentality was really good. There was nothing different about that coming in today.”
Top of the group Shamrocks lie in wait for Danesfort in the final round with a win necessary in order to give Thursday night’s victors in with a shout of escaping the relegation places.
“Ballyhale's hunger is amazing really. After all the club All-Irelands, never mind county finals they've won, they just play every match like they haven't played one in ages. They're so hungry,” the former Kilkenny defender explained.
“We have a nice little break now until the next match. We'll just enjoy the feeling of driving home tonight with a win as opposed to defeat. We'll worry about that one maybe Sunday morning, doing recovery.”