Slaughtneil manager Paul McCormack cut a dejected figure after his side’s gut-wrenching All-Ireland club SHC semi-final defeat to Sarsfields.

The Derry champions were edged out by a point after a late goal chance for captain Mark McGuignan flew over the crossbar. Sarsfields won a free in the next play, and even though it went wide, time ran out on Slaughtneil.

“Im trying to find the words. Cruel, is one adjective I suppose. Heartbreaking. Just the reality it's over. That's the thing, like it's, that's it now, it's real,” McCormack told reporters after the game in Newbridge.

“It's not where we wanted to end. And we were determined to win this match and go to Croke Park, represent Slaughtneil in Croke Park. A one-point game. You know, it wasn't a pretty game, but we were in it. Nobody could tell me there was any difference between the two teams.

“It's just so cruel. You put in so much and then you fall off, fall short just by one or two small wee breaks the ball or incisions or plays.

“They've done their best, they couldn't have done any more. They represented themselves so well again.”

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