Doolin's delight after Drogheda win
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Cork City climbed up to third position last night, with a 1-0 win over Drogheda United and the Rebel Army’s boss, Paul Doolin, was thrilled with the performance, particularly in the opening period. “I think in the first half we were excellent, some of the play and the movement was brilliant but we just couldn’t get that second goal. I think, overall, the important thing was the three points. It would have been a shame to get three points at Dalymount and not tonight. We were excellent here against Pat's and got nothing but tonight we got another three points. Most importantly we got a clean sheet too.
“I had some very good years at Drogheda, unfortunately the club couldn’t continue. I’m now with Cork and I think the main thing with me was to concentrate on this evening’s game,” added Doolin, when asked about how strange it was to face his old club for the first time since leaving United Park.
Drogheda did improve in the second half and Cork weren’t left to attack at will after the break. However, the away side never really threatened Dan Connor, with the exception of an Ian Ryan header, which was easily gathered by Connor. “I think that was kind of down to us too after the first half,” said Doolin about giving the visitors more of the ball in the second period. “When we had the breeze in the first half, we were very good. When they had it in the second half they kept us in, it was very difficult to get out. The main thing for us, I feel, is there’s a little bit of doggedness there.
Denis Behan was Cork’s goalscorer last night, his first from open play since last autumn. If Cork are to mount a serious challenge for the title, they will need the big man to be on form. The league, though, rarely sees a striker scoring over 20 in a season, something Doolin agrees with. “When you look at the strikers throughout the league, you don’t get a striker that scores twenty goals. You’ll have one that will score maybe ten or twelve but I think what you want are your other players to chip in.”
The Abbeyfeale man’s goal means that the Leeside club are just four points off of early pacesetters, Derry City. However, Cork must now go to Tallaght on Friday night, before taking on Dundalk in Oriel Park the week after. They will also play a league cup tie against the Kerry league in between. “It’s great to be confident as long as you don’t get cocky and arrogant. I think, for what was said about us after the game last week in Dalymount, I thought it was unacceptable. I’m probably one of the most successful fellas in this country in sport, but I’m probably one of the most humble as well.”
Doolin reckons that the amount of travelling is a major disadvantage, particularly when the closest away trip is actually three hours away in Tallaght. “There’s a lot of travelling involved with us. We play in Dublin on Friday, Kerry on Tuesday and back up to Dundalk on Friday. It does take its toll but hopefully after Friday week, we can get a rest," he concluded.
“I had some very good years at Drogheda, unfortunately the club couldn’t continue. I’m now with Cork and I think the main thing with me was to concentrate on this evening’s game,” added Doolin, when asked about how strange it was to face his old club for the first time since leaving United Park.
Drogheda did improve in the second half and Cork weren’t left to attack at will after the break. However, the away side never really threatened Dan Connor, with the exception of an Ian Ryan header, which was easily gathered by Connor. “I think that was kind of down to us too after the first half,” said Doolin about giving the visitors more of the ball in the second period. “When we had the breeze in the first half, we were very good. When they had it in the second half they kept us in, it was very difficult to get out. The main thing for us, I feel, is there’s a little bit of doggedness there.
Denis Behan was Cork’s goalscorer last night, his first from open play since last autumn. If Cork are to mount a serious challenge for the title, they will need the big man to be on form. The league, though, rarely sees a striker scoring over 20 in a season, something Doolin agrees with. “When you look at the strikers throughout the league, you don’t get a striker that scores twenty goals. You’ll have one that will score maybe ten or twelve but I think what you want are your other players to chip in.”
The Abbeyfeale man’s goal means that the Leeside club are just four points off of early pacesetters, Derry City. However, Cork must now go to Tallaght on Friday night, before taking on Dundalk in Oriel Park the week after. They will also play a league cup tie against the Kerry league in between. “It’s great to be confident as long as you don’t get cocky and arrogant. I think, for what was said about us after the game last week in Dalymount, I thought it was unacceptable. I’m probably one of the most successful fellas in this country in sport, but I’m probably one of the most humble as well.”
Doolin reckons that the amount of travelling is a major disadvantage, particularly when the closest away trip is actually three hours away in Tallaght. “There’s a lot of travelling involved with us. We play in Dublin on Friday, Kerry on Tuesday and back up to Dundalk on Friday. It does take its toll but hopefully after Friday week, we can get a rest," he concluded.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile