Kenna "bewildered" over penalty
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Galway United manager Ian Foster appeared for the post-match analysis with the look of a man who had just won the lotto following his side’s narrow 2-1 victory over Jeff Kenna’s St.Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday night. Kenna on the other hand cut a disconsolate figure, the look of a man who had lost the winning lotto ticket if you will.
Both manager’s moods were determined by a very harsh penalty award in the 56th minute when Pat’s Jason Gavin was adjudged to have handled inside his own penalty area, Jay O’Shea converted the resulting spot-kick then before anyone caught their breath and Sean Kelly screamed an effort home to put Galway into a lead they never let slip.
Though the penalty was undoubtedly the turning point as Kenna pointed out:” I’m bewildered, shocked......disappointment is an understatement.”Adding: “It is a penalty because the referee gives it but I didn’t think at the time it was no, I can’t think who it was went to flick it past Jason Gavin but they’re a yard from each other so he (the referee) can deem that to be intentional handball I don’t know.”
Kenna was quick to try and draw a line under he matter but was clearly hurt by the decision: “I can sit here and go ‘no it’s not’ (a penalty) but the referee gives it and it’s a goal.”
Foster chose not to comment on the penalty award but instead praised his player’s reaction to being a goal behind following his half-time tirade: “I’m a lover, not a fighter” he joked before remarking: “I don’t wanna shout at them (the Galway players) but I wanted a reaction from them second half and fortunately I got one.”
When asked to reflect on how his first season as a manager has gone Foster didn’t enter into any self-indulgence instead preferring to take a more detached view on things: “I’m pleased with certain aspects of our season, there are certain aspects I’m disappointed with. There’s times when we could have picked up points and didn’t.”
Before elaborating with respect to the fact it has been a steep learning curve for a rookie manager and his young squad: “I’m a young manager and I’ve got young players and I’m going to get things wrong just hopefully not too many.”
Foster continues his journey towards the safety of a likely mid-table finish while Kenna has to put his team’s elongated luckless streak behind him and try and get a result in Thursday’s Europa cup tie against Valletta FC of Malta.
Both manager’s moods were determined by a very harsh penalty award in the 56th minute when Pat’s Jason Gavin was adjudged to have handled inside his own penalty area, Jay O’Shea converted the resulting spot-kick then before anyone caught their breath and Sean Kelly screamed an effort home to put Galway into a lead they never let slip.
Though the penalty was undoubtedly the turning point as Kenna pointed out:” I’m bewildered, shocked......disappointment is an understatement.”Adding: “It is a penalty because the referee gives it but I didn’t think at the time it was no, I can’t think who it was went to flick it past Jason Gavin but they’re a yard from each other so he (the referee) can deem that to be intentional handball I don’t know.”
Kenna was quick to try and draw a line under he matter but was clearly hurt by the decision: “I can sit here and go ‘no it’s not’ (a penalty) but the referee gives it and it’s a goal.”
Foster chose not to comment on the penalty award but instead praised his player’s reaction to being a goal behind following his half-time tirade: “I’m a lover, not a fighter” he joked before remarking: “I don’t wanna shout at them (the Galway players) but I wanted a reaction from them second half and fortunately I got one.”
When asked to reflect on how his first season as a manager has gone Foster didn’t enter into any self-indulgence instead preferring to take a more detached view on things: “I’m pleased with certain aspects of our season, there are certain aspects I’m disappointed with. There’s times when we could have picked up points and didn’t.”
Before elaborating with respect to the fact it has been a steep learning curve for a rookie manager and his young squad: “I’m a young manager and I’ve got young players and I’m going to get things wrong just hopefully not too many.”
Foster continues his journey towards the safety of a likely mid-table finish while Kenna has to put his team’s elongated luckless streak behind him and try and get a result in Thursday’s Europa cup tie against Valletta FC of Malta.
About Eoin Manning
Eoin Manning has been a part of the extratime.ie reporting team since 2009 and covers the Dublin clubs. Eoin also writes for many of the countries national newspapers and can be contacted at eoinpmanning@gmail.com View Full Profile