WEXFORD BOSS JJ Doyle was left “devastated” by his side’s collapse in last night’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling final.
The Slaneysiders suffered a humiliating 16-point loss, the county’s second successive All-Ireland U21 final loss following last year’s six-point reverse at the hands of Clare.
Doyle had hoped to mastermind Wexford’s first Cross of Cashel Cup success in 50 years but the underage famine continues.
Wexford haven’t won an All-Ireland minor title either since 1968 but hopes were high that the U21s could go all the way after winning three successive Leinster crowns.
“It is devastating really. Getting beaten is one thing, we didn’t perform anywhere near our capabilities there tonight.
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It was a tough night for JJ Doyle and Wexford. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“That is the most disappointing aspect of it. Listen, there is nothing we can do about it now.
“The guys seemed to be in great form in the last few weeks, trained really well.
“They seemed to be very much up for the game. Unfortunately every team has games like that and you just hope they don’t happen on the biggest occasion.
“Unfortunately, it just fell apart tonight. No matter what we tried, nothing worked.
Conor McDonald netted in the second half to give Wexford some hope but Limerick responded with the last nine points of the game to claim a 0-26 to 1-7 win.
Wexford were on the back foot against Limerick on Saturday night. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
“Listen, we just weren’t good enough tonight,” Doyle admitted.
“In any aspect of the performance, we weren’t good enough. It is very hard to analyse it at this point in time.
“These guys will have to come back from it. They can’t let this be the defining moment of their careers. It will be tough for them.
“Listen, they will have club games in a week or two.
“They will just have to get out there and go again and prove that they are not the player that was seen out there tonight. They have won three Leinsters in-a-row.
“They are not bad players. They just didn’t play well tonight.”
'It is devastating really, they can't let this be the defining moment of their careers'
WEXFORD BOSS JJ Doyle was left “devastated” by his side’s collapse in last night’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling final.
The Slaneysiders suffered a humiliating 16-point loss, the county’s second successive All-Ireland U21 final loss following last year’s six-point reverse at the hands of Clare.
Doyle had hoped to mastermind Wexford’s first Cross of Cashel Cup success in 50 years but the underage famine continues.
Wexford haven’t won an All-Ireland minor title either since 1968 but hopes were high that the U21s could go all the way after winning three successive Leinster crowns.
“It is devastating really. Getting beaten is one thing, we didn’t perform anywhere near our capabilities there tonight.
“That is the most disappointing aspect of it. Listen, there is nothing we can do about it now.
“The guys seemed to be in great form in the last few weeks, trained really well.
“They seemed to be very much up for the game. Unfortunately every team has games like that and you just hope they don’t happen on the biggest occasion.
Conor McDonald netted in the second half to give Wexford some hope but Limerick responded with the last nine points of the game to claim a 0-26 to 1-7 win.
“Listen, we just weren’t good enough tonight,” Doyle admitted.
“In any aspect of the performance, we weren’t good enough. It is very hard to analyse it at this point in time.
“Listen, they will have club games in a week or two.
“They will just have to get out there and go again and prove that they are not the player that was seen out there tonight. They have won three Leinsters in-a-row.
“They are not bad players. They just didn’t play well tonight.”
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All-Ireland U21HC GAA Hurling JJ Doyle Limerick picking up the pieces Limerick Wexford Wexford