Baraclough dedicates cup win to former groundsman

Sligo Rovers secured their place in the FAI Cup Final for the fourth time five years with a victory over 3-0 over Shamrock Rovers in The Showgrounds on Sunday afternoon.

Speaking to local press after the game, Rovers boss Ian Baraclough dedicated Sunday’s victory to former groundsman Andy Tiernan, who passed away last week.

"It was important we were at Andy's funeral. It was important we showed the respect that Andy and his family fully deserve. He has been at this football club for 40 years. He gave everything, he gave his life for this football club and I think the players gave him a fitting send off as the whole town has done.

"Everybody realises that people like Andy and the sacrifices he made to make this football club a great football club in Ireland. It was a fitting send off for him because he was a lovely man. I only knew him 18 months and I would have loved to known him for longer. He always had a smile on his face. When I was down he would always have a smile for me and say 'keep going because you are a good man'.

"He would keep people going. People don't see that at times. I got emotional as well because people at this football club and town have become part of my life and special."

Baraclough praised the passion and determination of his players who turned in a magnificent team performance and successfully executed their game plan.

"Not only did Jeff Henderson keep getting patched up but he had a two inch wound to his head, exactly where he was heading ball. He just wanted to keep heading ball. Danny Ventre went in there and did exactly what Jeff did.

"Wide players, flair players, sacrificed themselves at times to make sure the team were compact. They worked hard and they have got their rewards.

"We tried to strangle the life out of their flair players which we did and when the times were right to go and attack them, get Kieran Djilali in the holes on pockets, get Raff Cretaro on the ball, get Aaron Greene, get Danny North on the sides and really get at their back four. I thought the lads went and did that.”

Talking about his side’s League form, Ian expressed his anger at critics who he feels have been very harsh on his side throughout the season.

He said: "Words would not do justice of how proud I am of the players and the work they have put in. The sacrifices made and the togetherness of the group when certain criticism and harsh words could have derailed the whole situation.

"Unjust criticism at inopportune moments by people who make money by criticising. It is easy to knock people. When they realise what it takes to win games of football, to make sure they do things right, then they realise the sacrifice you have to make.

"I'm delighted for the players and I'm delighted for the supporters who now have something to look forward to. I think their encouragement really drove the team on and the rose to that.

"I've said to other members of the press that I was hurt that a team of mine could be accused of lacking passion and desire. We have created so many chances this year, more than last year, but we just haven't taken as many this year. We have drawn too many games and that is what has cost us. Not a lack of desire or passion.

"When those sorts of words are thrown at my team I'm disgusted. It is a shame because the majority of the supporters are good, good people who want the best for this football club and I have a group of lads that want to give them success. We have tried hard to try and create history to try by being the first Sligo team to win back-to-back titles.

"It may or may not happen. The likelihood is that it may not but nobody can throw any criticism when players are giving more than 100% in every game. But listen that is sport, that is the way football is going in the last few years, it is very easy to sit there in the ivory tower if you like I suppose and criticise."

Sligo will meet Drogheda United at the Aviva Stadium on November 3rd, a side participating in their third Final this season. Baraclough is relishing the challenge and believes they his side must find a balance between matching their work rate and also continue to play his side’s brand of football.

“We have beaten Drogheda, they have beaten us at times, we will have to match their work-rate and put in more than what we have done today.

"We will have to not get embroiled in their way of playing and make sure we play our brand of football but still work very, very hard. That is the first line in any team-talk I give.

"You must work hard and you will get your rewards."