LIKE THE REST of the country, James McClean is coming to the realisation that Ireland won’t be at next year’s World Cup finals this morning.
The West Brom winger wears his heart on his sleeve and his emotion was there for everyone to see during an post-match interview directly after the final whistle last night.
And McClean has now written a message to fans, in which he assures them that the players are hurting just as much, before having a pop at critics for “sticking the boot in”.
“Last night is going to hurt deep for a long, long time,” McClean said on Instagram. ”Nothing can change or make what happened last night right.
“Of course everyone is entitled to voice their opinion because it was simply not good enough from us on the night.
“We know that ourselves, but to stick the boot in and kick players and staff when they are down (players and staff that have been great servants to this country, players and staff that have qualified for a major tournament and were unlucky to be knocked out to a great team in the last 16, players and staff that were one game from making it to a World Cup, players and staff that would give anything for this great country!) with some over-the-top beyond football comments is bang out of order.
Hurting or not and trust me when I say this we hurt every bit as much as you do.
“I am proud and honoured to be a Irish man and to call everyone of these men fellow country men and team-mates! Like a said this will hurt deep, we have been written off so many times before and just like before we will bounce back!”
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Cork will be favourites and that’s just the way we like it…fantastic day in chrocaigh yest….bannermen played their hearts out and deserve to be in the final..
People are very quick to forget that Clare have beaten cork three times already this year, fair enough they had the win at the Munster semi but we were poor that day and ever since then we’ve been improving in a massive way, it’ll be hard to call to be fair but no way do I see an easy cork win, it’ll be 50/50 but of course I’m hoping for a Clare win, hon the banner !!!
The manner in which he conducts himself on the side line is simply not on, I think he speaks so honestly when interviewed and he shoots up in my estimations, and then the next game he acts like a little B roaring and shouting abuse at everything and I hate him again. Its weird because I really admire him for what has achieved but I cant respect him for the way he acts.
Can’t see this Clare side now falling at the last hurdle…..
They have absolutely nothing to loose at this stage… Been written off in last 2 games and have destroyed their opposition….. While cork will be a formidable obstacle to overcome I have no doubt that God’s county will be victorious and capture hurling highest honour ……
Àn Clàr àbu!!!!!
Would love to see Clare do it, 2013 has been such a year of shocks it would be a fitting end to see the underdog win instead of an old power like Cork. Whatever happens though, hurling has been a joy to watch this summer!
Old power??
Yes Diarmuid old power. Cork are historically very successful in hurling (with nearly 30 titles I think?) but have only returned to prominence this year, Clare have 3 and are underdogs according to the bookies this morning
Cork just have to turn up on the 8th, 12 to15 points win for cork. The real all Ireland final was last week,
JBM can’t believe his luck after yesterday
I don’t know why people are saying cork will win handy, unless they’re up to divilment! Cute Clare feckers! This is a serious side in Clare and they have proved it at underage too! This is a 50/50 game! My in laws are Clare ppl so I personally can’t wait! Should be a great final and a serious clash of styles! Rebels Abu!
Great picture