Byrne plotting Tallaght upset
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Sporting Fingal fought back to earn a replay with Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Ford Cup quarter-final and Conan Byrne thinks that his side can win the return fixture.
The right-sided midfielder scooped the Man of the Match for an impressive display that included assists for the goals scored by Shaun Williams and Shaun Maher.
While they were tipped to provide a difficult game for the in-form Rovers, they surprised in periods as they dominated possession and created various chances as their Premier Division opponents were pushed onto the back foot.
After a slow start, where they conceded twice, Sporting stepped up a gear after the break and fully merited the draw that will now bring the tie into a replay on Tuesday evening.
“We did well. It is a team effort,” Byrne told TG4 after the match.
“(In the first-half) I thought we were playing the ball around too much in our half and kept losing it.
“Thankfully then in the second-half we came out stronger and got two quick goals.
“I think the injury (to Aidan Price) didn’t help us because the momentum went, but we’ve got to be happy with a 2-2 draw.”
When quizzed about the upcoming replay, Byrne simply stated that the team will be looking forward to it as they attempt to escape from the Tallaght Stadium with a victory.
“We haven’t played in Tallaght before, so we’ll be up for it,” he said.
The right-sided midfielder scooped the Man of the Match for an impressive display that included assists for the goals scored by Shaun Williams and Shaun Maher.
While they were tipped to provide a difficult game for the in-form Rovers, they surprised in periods as they dominated possession and created various chances as their Premier Division opponents were pushed onto the back foot.
After a slow start, where they conceded twice, Sporting stepped up a gear after the break and fully merited the draw that will now bring the tie into a replay on Tuesday evening.
“We did well. It is a team effort,” Byrne told TG4 after the match.
“(In the first-half) I thought we were playing the ball around too much in our half and kept losing it.
“Thankfully then in the second-half we came out stronger and got two quick goals.
“I think the injury (to Aidan Price) didn’t help us because the momentum went, but we’ve got to be happy with a 2-2 draw.”
When quizzed about the upcoming replay, Byrne simply stated that the team will be looking forward to it as they attempt to escape from the Tallaght Stadium with a victory.
“We haven’t played in Tallaght before, so we’ll be up for it,” he said.
About Gareth Maher
Gareth Maher is an award-winning journalist who has covered domestic, international and women's football for the best part of a decade. Previously a columnist for the Irish Daily Mail and Football Editor for Setanta Sports, … View Full Profile