TALLAGHT CBS manager Pat Hanratty has challenged his Leinster champions to go on next season and achieve even more after last week's National Cup semi final loss to Limerick's Sexton Street CBS:
Just weeks after capturing the Senior boys Leinster title for the third time in their history, Tallaght travelled to Leah Victoria Park in Tullamore looking to take a step towards their first national title, but they came up short on the day:
Despite the 3-0 loss, the Dublin side have still achieved a lot this season and just days after they paraded their Leinster trophy on the Tallaght Stadium pitch during the half/time break at Shamrock Rovers' clash with Derry City on Friday, their manager has laid down a new challenge for them:
"We have never won back to back Leinsters so that will be something we will aim for next season," said Hanratty: "We inched our way to success through Leinster this year and got better as the year went on, so hopefully we can take it to the next level next year:
"We were beaten fair and square by a better side on the day but hopefully we can improve and go up another bit next time around:
"We started this season after a few years without success and players were reluctant to get involved but now every player who can wants to play for us next year, so the feel good factor is back:"
Limerick CBS went into the game with two consecutive All Ireland Senior titles to their credit and three/in/a/row in their sights:
Tallaght goalkeeper Owen Doherty had to be at this best to deny Limerick captain Eoin Hanrahan and Derek O'Hanlon early on and just before half time Dwayne McGinn blocked a goal/bound effort from Cian Byrnes, as Limerick piled on the pressure:
Within a minute though, Sexton Street took the lead when Byrnes rose highest from a corner to head his side into the lead and, despite the introduction of Leinster final match winner Craig Palmer, the lead was doubled with 20 minutes to go when Hanrahan fired home:
The Munster side notched up a third goal with six minutes remaining, when Derek O'Hanlon dribbled around Darryn Bermingham to slot the ball home from close range:
Alex Molloy went close for Tallaght in the dying minutes, only to see his effort produce a fine save from Stephen McNamara in goal:
TALLAGHT CS: Owen Doherty, Stephen Monaghan, Chris McCarthy, Darryn Bermingham, Darren Mahon, David Campbell, Ross Humphries, Dwayne McGinn, Patrick Redmond, Andrew O'Brien, Alex Molloy:
Subs: Craig Palmer for Humphries 47, Craig Burgess 65 for Molloy, Robert Hughes for Mahon 65:
LIMERICK CBS: Stephen McNamara, Gary Griffin, Craig McMarlow, Brendan Mullins, Jack Molyneaux, Jason Hughes, David Crowe, Cian Byrnes, Eoin Hanrahan, Derek O'Hanlon, Edward O'Donovan:
Subs: Lee O'Mara for Crowe 69, Dean McNamara for Byrnes 85, Gary O'Connor for Hanrahan 85:
Referee: Adrian Martin (Offaly)