ST JUDES BOSS Padraic Monaghan praised the performance of county star Kevin McManamon as they stunned Kilmacud Crokes in the Dublin SFC quarter-final.
St Judes were three point victors over Kilmacud, who disposed of All-Ireland champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the previous round.
McManamon kicked five points, including two stunning efforts off his left in the first-half. Monaghan was thrilled with his impact.
“It was a really good performance tonight. He missed a couple of those against Clontarf [in the previous round] but he worked on it and he really came up trumps with some great points when they were needed tonight.
“[They were] really, really tough points and he took them on. He’d great confidence and courage to take on the points and they weren’t easy. He took those on and they were great points he scored.
“In fairness we have good forwards that are well able to score. We got some great points in the first-half which was very, very encouraging and satisfying. There are good forwards out there that can deliver those type of scores and we were happy with that.”
Leading by five at half-time, Monaghan said the message to his players was to push on and make sure of the victory.
“We knew Crokes were going to come out hard at us in the second-half after they got it at half-time. It was very important for us to push on again.
“We’d a fairly even second half and they got the goal that pulled it back but we looked at it that we weren’t going to sit back, that we were going to push on again and try and win the second half.
“Crokes really put it up to us in the second half and pulled back that lead but we knew Crokes were going to come like that. They’re a very, very good team, we knew in the second half they were going to come strongly at us.
The biggest test St Judes now face is to get the bodies in order in time for the semi-finals, which will take place in the middle of next week.
Monaghan said there were plenty of “sore bodies” in his dressing room after the game, and predicted a week of “rest and recovery” before their last four tie.
“They come up very quickly so you don’t get a chance to really recover either. But look it’s the same for every team that’s out there and you have to do it.
“We know we’re out again in a week’s time and we know we have to do the business again so. It’ll be the same for whoever we meet in the semi-final.”
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