Monaghan manager Malachy O'Rourke says he is sickened after his Monaghan side lost by one point to Fermanagh in today's Ulster Senior Championship semi-final.
The Monaghan boss says his side lacked the hunger and desire they possessed in recent weeks. He says there were a lot of missed opportunities from his side during the game.
O'Rourke spoke with Shannonside Northern Sound after today's 1-8 to 0-10 loss at Healy Park, Omagh.
"Fermanagh were well set up, and they were hungry for it. We were very flat, particularly in the first half. I thought as the game went on, we got a bit better. We started creating a few openings but we rushed a lot of shots,' said O'Rourke.
O'Rourke says he felt his side were going to get the job done after establishing a two point lead towards the end of the game. He says it was a devastating blow to Monaghan but it's something his side must accept.
"Towards the end, we got two points up. It looked like we would win the game, and just a sucker punch today. It’s so disappointing; devastating really but that’s football. We just have to accept it.”
Malachy says he can't figure out why his team looked so flat in the opening half of the contest. He says the preperation coming in to the game was on point.
"I can't, really. I thought we were well prepared. We knew Fermanagh would really be up for the game. It's just hard to put my finger on it. We just didn't seem to get going on the pitch, early on.
O'Rourke added that his players are only human and sass it was tough to block the plaudits aimed at his players coming into the game. He says they lacked the finesse, and energy to get the win.
"As I say, the players are only human. There was so much credit given after the last game - People talking about this and that. You try and shield the boys against that but it's very hard to do it. We just hadn't the same energy and hungry today, as we had for the last day.
The Monaghan boss ultimately expressed his upset in losing to Fermanagh in such late and dramatic fashion.
"It was just sickening to lose the way we did. I thought we would weather the storm."
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