DES CAHILL hit out at the Munster hurling final going to a penalty shoot-out – saying “imagine the hype of a replay”.
Cork beat seven in-a-row chasing Limerick to win their first provincial title since 2018 on Saturday.
An enthralling contest between the two heavyweights ended level at 1-30 to 2-27 after Darragh Fitzgibbon’s late 65′ at the end of extra-time.
This meant penalties, with the Rebels emerging victorious after Treaty veteran Declan Hannon put the critical placed ball wide.
While enthralled by the game, RTE broadcaster Des Cahill insisted the everybody would have been better off had it gone to a replay.
He tweeted: “Does a tremendous final like this really have to be decided by penalties?
“Imagine the anticipation, the craic, and the buzz if we were looking forward to a replay!
“This is the price of the condensed season. Congrats to #Cork & #Limerick on providing a superb #MunsterFinal”
It made for an emotional and poignant occasion at the TUS Gaelic Grounds for Cork boss Pat Ryan.
Not only was it a first provincial title in seven years, but it achieved a league and Championship double, while his side are favourites to bag the All-Ireland.
And not only that, but it came just four months on from the death of his brother, Ray.
The 43-year-old tragically passed away back in February, having been part of Sarsfields teams that won county titles in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014.
After the Rebels’ momentous victory at the TUS Gaelic Grounds, RTE broadcaster Jacqui Hurley made sure to pay tribute to him on Instagram.
She said: “Ray, I hope you are smiling down on these scenes.”
Pat Ryan is an immensely popular figure among the Leesiders, who have now done a league and provincial championship double.
This was on display when Robert Downey sent a message of love to his gaffer after Saturday’s game.
Skipper Downey said: “I don’t think he realises how much we love him.
“But on days like these, I’m going to tell him. Pat, we love you to bits.”
VALUE FOR MONEY
Three weeks after they suffered a 16-point hammering at the hands of the same opposition, Cork scuppered Limerick’s seven-in-a-row quest following an engrossing affair at the Gaelic Grounds.
Ryan said: “We were just focused on coming up here and really going to battle with Limerick and representing the jersey, representing our people.
“The people are spending money to come up here and we didn’t give them any value for money the last day.
“I think both teams gave fierce value for money to their supporters today and to everyone.
“We have no doubt in the character of our fellas. We have no doubt in the ability that they have.
“I think everybody has said that. You have to go and prove it every time.
“I’m here three years. We thought that performance three weeks ago was gone out of this team. As I said, I genuinely take a bit of blame for that.”
Ryan’s own frustration with ref Thomas Walsh — who went off injured in extra-time — seemed apparent as he approached the Waterford official at half-time.
But the Cork chief said: “We’re all fighting tooth and nail for the calls.
“The game is so fast. Thomas is a fantastic referee. We’re fighting for calls. John Kiely is fighting for calls. That’s just the nature of it.”
Asked why he approached Walsh, Ryan responded: “Just to say he was doing a great job.”
