Reaction Wexford v Waterford "The intercounty scene is very competitive," said Waterford manager Justin McCarthy. "And at this level every team goes up a step. There's no ifs and buts. We were beaten by a very good team."
"They outplayed us in the second half, got points and closed us down. You can talk all day about hunger but you need things to go with it. We were as hungry as anyone and maybe if we'd got a goal we'd have seen that hunger."
Although he defiantly affirmed he would "still be involved in hurling next year" McCarthy must wonder how much more he can achieve with this team given the age profile of key players.
Having said that, Wexford have been blessed with a supply of senior players willing to subdue their egos for the greater good. Just as Billy Byrne and George O'Connor played such significant roles in 1996 and '97, the two Larrys (Murphy and O'Gorman) on Saturday were rewarded for sticking in there when it might have been easier to retire.
"You have to give younger players their chance. The '96 thing is dead and buried and there's no point living on memories or reputations," said Murphy.
"But Nowlan Park suits us. We don't have as much grass to get around. And when you're playing a physical team like a Munster team you need to be able to stand up and take a shoulder and give a shoulder."
O'Gorman, 35 this year and on the panel since 1987, agreed the added physique had been important in registering the improvement on the Leinster final display.
"We went out to play this nice one-touch hurling (against Kilkenny). It's not the Wexford tradition. Wexford's tradition is to get in and be a bit physical but disciplined. When we started to do that the whole thing lifted."
Retirement had occurred to Murphy but he dismissed the thought. "It does cross your mind but I'm 31 this October. When I'm 41, I don't want to be looking back asking why I gave up. The one big thing in my career I want is no regrets."
His touching delight in winning RTÉ's Man of the Match award didn't prevent him observing: "Today worked well but tomorrow I could fall back on my arse again."
