Wexford manager Tony Dempsey, graciousness in defeat, could not hide the deep sadness he felt at the manner in which his team forfeited their All-Ireland hurling ambitions, writes John O'Sullivan

Far from being critical of his players he questioned a system that had asked them to play a match just seven days after losing the Leinster final to Kilkenny.

In contrast Wexford's conquerors at Portlaoise yesterday, Clare, had a three-week break. The difference in preparation was never more evident than in the first 20 minutes of the match. Dempsey admitted: "I was bitterly disappointed with the end result. As I had said during the week, I had reservations about our ability to be able to play a match seven days after losing the Leinster final.

"I don't think it would have been fair to ask any team to do that. In the first 20 minutes we simply could not get into the game and Clare were flying from the start. We did manage to close the gap from 11 points to three but the effort that took on the players meant that we were struggling long before the finish.

"On the day Clare played the better hurling and were deserving winners. I wouldn't take anything away from them in that respect. The were sharper, moved the ball quicker and took their chances, something which we didn't do enough of, particularly during that first period. I suppose in a way we paid the ultimate price for not beating Kilkenny in the Leinster final. It was always going to be difficult once we failed to do that."

Full-back Darragh Ryan echoed his manager's comments, especially about the opening exchanges. "There is no way you can go 20 minutes in a match at this level, particularly against a team like Clare, without scoring a point. We gave ourselves far too much to do and even though we managed to claw our way back, it took a huge physical effort. Not scoring like that will always come back to haunt you at a later stage of any match."

The defeat probably signals the end of the intercounty careers of Wexford stalwarts Larry Murphy and Larry O'Gorman, both of whom were introduced as second-half substitutes.

Clare were understandably happy, the three-week break allowing them to work hard in training and the fruits of which were seen in the heat of battle.