By Michael McMullan

SLEACHT Néill hurling manager Paul McCormack insisted his side were ready to push on and never felt the team he inherited was on the wane.

Speaking after Sunday’s devastating exit at the hands of Munster champions Sarsfields, the former Armagh dual player was full of praise for his side.

McCormack took over as manager after Michael McShane stepped down, ending nine years at the helm.

The Emmet’s were on the back of successive Ulster final defeats to Dunloy and Cushendall.

Fast-forward 12 months and they backed up the club’s 18th Derry title with a climb back to the top of Ulster.

“I know when I met the players, they were ambitious as ever and they were determined to push on and go further,” he said, dismissing any notions the team’s best years were behind them.

“Outside noise does not concern me, of what people thought,” he added.

“Yes, I was under no illusion that it was going to be a difficult job, but isn’t that the beauty of it.

“Hopefully they responded to me and I responded to them. We’re all pulling in one direction.”

The average age of Sleacht Néill’s starting team on Sunday was 25.5. Conor Coyle, who missed the game with illness, and Fionn McEldowney represent the latest crop.

Cahal McKaigue, the current St Patrick’s, Maghera MacRory Cup captain, came off the bench while Ruairí Ó Mianáin, Eamon and Jack Cassidy aren’t long in the championship door.

“If you’re good enough, you’re old enough,” McCormack said of his outlook. “That’s one thing that I’ve done. I am a teacher by profession, a young fella who is keen and has shown potential and ambition and drive, if they’re good enough.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are,” he added. “Sean ‘Tad’ (Cassidy) came in there and had an exceptional game, I felt, for a man who hasn’t played any hurling really since August or September.

“That’s the quality that we’re dealing with in Sleacht Néill. It’s important that that production line continues. I know they’re working hard, and we have to go again.”

McCormack also hailed the input of Fionn McEldowney in his role picking up Cork senior player Jack O’Connor.

While O’Connor was named as man of the match, the teenage McEldowney also earned plaudits for his performance.

“That’s the beauty of this (club) championship, that those men can come up against each other,” McCormack said.

“They’ll meet after the match and shake hands there. The two of them, they were in a battle and one person said Jack wins it, the other person said Fionn’s winning it.

“That’s only one man. Meehaul McGrath emptied himself there until he had to come off a dead leg,” McCormack said, also highlighting the level of effort expended in the hope of getting to Croke Park.

“All those men, they just give their heart and soul for this club and for the game, just to try and get over the next line. It’s so cruel that they’re not going to get an opportunity to play in Croke Park next January.”