Leinster club SFC | Naomh Máirtín manager has "No qualms about the result"

Louth champions Naomh Máirtín’s Leinster campaign came to an end as they were undone by Portarlington at Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda, this afternoon.

Speaking after the game, Jocks manager Mattie Rice shared his thoughts on a provincial opportunity that slipped away.

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He said: “To be fair to Portarlington, they came here, they put it up to us today, there was high intensity, high physicality in the match.

“They took some good scores. Having said that, look, we'll look back on that performance and we'll be disappointed.

“Some of the things just around the basics that we normally do well, we didn't manage to do that today, so that'll probably be the disappointing factor from our perspective.

“I think if you go back to the (Louth) Championship final, we were lauded rightly in terms of how we controlled the game, our decision making and how we created opportunities.

“We waited for those right opportunities, and I suppose today was absolutely the opposite. We went out, obviously, with the intention of doing that again, but for whatever reason, we need to look back and review the match.

“But whatever the reason, our shot selection was poor today. We didn't pass and move the way that we possibly can.

“As I say, overall disappointed, disappointed with the result, but no qualms about it. I think Portarlington deserved to win the match today.”

The Monasterboice side had burst from the traps and rattled off the opening couple of scores. But that rhythm faded as Portarlington asserted themselves during a dominant second quarter.

“We started the game really, really well. We looked slick, we were moving the ball well, we got very lethargic after that for whatever reason.

“We were stopping and taking that easy pass on, not taking enough risks, I think, from my perspective.

“And yet, even having said that, whatever it was, six or seven minutes ago, we were in the game with some real chances there to go on after Tom Gray scored the goal.

“I think we had some real chances to go on, and if not, level the game or go ahead in the game. We didn't take them, and if you don't take them, you're going to be punished at this level.”

The three-week break between claiming the Joe Ward Cup and the provincial quarter-final can be considered more of a hindrance than a help for the Jocks.

“I think it's easy to say that, but as a coach and a manager, you're looking at the match, and it's not as if we didn't create opportunities today.

“We created opportunities today, and whether you put a match in between the Championship final or not or whether you have that break, you expect players of our calibre to be taking those opportunities and sticking them over the bar.”

Naomh Máirtín started the second half with a surge, but Portarlington held firm.

“It was still there, but you can see they're a resolute side; there's a bit of resilience about them, and they're battle-hardened.

“We knew it wasn't going to be easy today. I mean, we said even if we played well, it was going to go down right to the wire today.

“I don't think anybody was under any illusions about that, but as I say, the overall feeling is one of we probably left a bit behind us today. But, as I say, fair play to Portarlington and we wish them well going on in the competition from here.”

Falling at the first hurdle in their Leinster journey is disappointing for a side that wanted a proper crack at the Leinster championship.

“Of course there is, there's some seasoned guys in there who've been around the block a wee bit. They would have liked to have a right crack at Leinster, as you can imagine, as we all would.

“But you have to earn that right, and we didn't do enough, I think today, to actually earn that right. So, we've nobody to blame but ourselves, I think.”

The manager was adamant that it was mission accomplished in the simple sense of claiming a third Joe Ward Cup.

“Funny enough, it seems like a long time ago already. I know it's only a couple of weeks ago but it does seem like a long time ago.

“But, yeah, look, when you start out the season, it is about getting that Joe Ward and we managed to actually do that.

“And I think we did that in some style this year, which mightn’t have been great for the neutrals, but for us as coaches and managers, it was a game plan that came to fruition. And we did it probably for the full 60 minutes of the match.

“But when you go out today, you're carrying the hopes of not just your own club, but you're also representing the rest of the county. The rest of the clubs who can't be here today and represent Louth in this competition.

“So, we'll be disappointed for them as well that we probably didn't put on a better showing just to show the quality that's here.

“We all know the quality that's in the county and how difficult it is to actually win a championship here. So, unfortunately, we didn't bring that to the pitch today.”

He praised the large number of away fans and acknowledged the lift supporters gave the visitors.

“Fair play to them, the supporters were actually here in numbers today. It was incredible to see, and they made some noise, to be fair to them.

“I think there were periods of the match where their team was flagging a little bit, and I think the supporters got behind them.

“They made sure that they stuck at it and they stuck at the game and I'm sure it was a great game to watch from neutral today as well.”

As for his own future, Rice would not commit to an answer.

“Well, look, you never know. You know yourself, it's a managerial merry-go-round as it normally is in Louth.

“So, we haven't even got to that point yet, but I'm sure over the coming days and weeks we'll sit down and have a look at it and see what the plans are for the new year.

“But look, either way, we've a tremendously talented bunch of lads here and a lot of good kids actually coming through.

“So, I think, you know, we're going to be looking at Naomh Mairtin competing at the top level for, hopefully, for the foreseeable future.

“They've been a fantastic bunch of lads to work with, and it's not just them. I think the whole community sometimes you're coming in from a neighbouring village, and there might be a level of scepticism there, let's just say.

“And I have to say, they've welcomed me with open arms, and I've really enjoyed it.

“Going from my house, it's a 10-minute drive from my house up to the training pitch, and I go there with a smile on my face, and I come home with a smile on my face. So, great, great bunch of lads to work with.”