Brian Lohan defended his decision to play with a sweeper in the first half of yesterday’s All-Ireland semi-final - even though the strategy backfired.
Clare went into the break five points down, then reappeared for the second-half with renewed fight and energy and looked like winning the game until a mix up between keeper Eibhear Quilligan and corner back Rory Hayes led eventually to an Eoin Cody goal.
That proved to be the momentum changer.
Until then Clare were on a charge, but after it, they fell flat.
Lohan said: “It is very disappointing to lose. We have to go and analyse it and see where we can improve.
“They took their chances. They were very accurate, very efficient with their use of the ball and got scores from all over the field, which is what they do. We suffered because of that and best of luck to them now in the final.”
The disaster goal scored by Cody halted all the progress Clare had made early in the second half.
Lohan said: “It was a killer goal from our perspective. But look, these things happen in hurling. It is a tough game, a tough place to play out there, and tough to play against really good opponents.”
That awareness of Kilkenny’s strengths explained his decision to go with seven defenders, a policy that smacked of fear.
Lohan, however, explained it logically, figuring if he could get to half-time with a manageable scoreline then the second-half was when they would attack.
“Last year we felt we played the game on their terms,” he said.
“They had the extra defender back. We didn’t make use of the ball as well as we could. We just did not want to be out of the game at half-time, conceding goals early on, and also we didn’t want to be pushing up as much on them.
“So we made a decision to go with the plus one, or sweeper, and we went in five points down at half-time. So we were still in the game. The second half was when our players played really well.
“I was very disappointed with how we played in the first half, very disappointed with how we attacked the ball, disappointed in our shape, our structure; we did a number of things which made it as easy as it can be for their defenders. Richie Reid was hitting balls for fun.
“It was just easy for them and it left our players with too difficult a job to do to defend against. The ball was too accurate going in against those forwards. You need to put pressure on the strike.”
Asked about Eoin Murphy's wonder save at the end, Lohan replied: "It was a really good stop.
"Keepers, they are under so much pressure these days, especially with puck-out strategies.
"But their standards are so high.
"Eoin is producing saves like that all the time.
"It is tough on our lads because they gave everything. They are a really good group of lads to be around, to be involved with. They love playing for their county. Today just was not our day. But credit to Kilkenny, they are a good team."
