O’Kane proud of girls display at Croker

TYRONE Ladies manager Sean O’Kane remarked that he was proud of his players’ performance at Croke Park on Sunday, following their Division Two Final defeat to Kildare.

The experienced coach, while naturally disappointed at the outcome of a three point loss nevertheless spoke highly of his charges and their efforts.

“Of course it’s disappointing to lose in the end but them girls gave everything there,” he said. “They are a young team and young legs but they all gave everything.

” I suppose in the end the best team won. Look they (Kildare) are well experienced, they have the look of a team that’s been together for a long time and that stood to them today.”

Tyrone had been well organised in the first half against a strong breeze and that was certainly a key aspect of their organised performance. O’Kane admitted however, that they had to make an early change.

“We started with the press but when that wasn’t working we had to make a quick change,” he continued. “That’s down to Barry (Grimes) and Fergal (Quinn). They have worked on the systems and… I thought Joanne Barrett worked tirelessly. But she wasn’t alone in what I and the boys felt was a good performance from us.”

A slip before the break changed the complexion of the game however the manager felt no one could be blamed.
“Look, Emma Jane (Gervin) was unlucky, that could have happened to anyone. I thought before that she has made a massive contribution for us and afterwards she bounced back. At the end of the day Sullivan had to finish it and she did. Herself and Byrne were always dangerous.”

He continued, “The girls all done well. The younger ones were not shaken while there were some great performances and we can now look back at this game and look ahead to the championship that’s coming in a couple of weeks.”
On the downside O’Kane pointed out that several girls are set for holidays and trips while there were injury issues too.

Although he hopes to perhaps convince those players planning to travel to stay around.

“I will be asking the girls with travel plans to stay with us as we have a good thing here,” he said. “We have the championship and while I might look to add to the squad I am happy with the players we have at this stage. We will regroup and refocus. We’d love to get past the quarter final stage of the championship, but we’ll see where we go.”