Daire Doyle: 'I cannot believe we didn’t get a penalty for Rob Manley being absolutely hauled down by his arm in the box'

Daire Doyle

Daire Doyle Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

Longford Town manager Daire Doyle was disappointed with his side’s first half performance against Drogheda United on Monday night that left them trailing 2-0 at the break. Town upped their performance in the second half and pulled a goal back. When chasing for a second goal they were left exposed and Drogheda scored two late goals to win out 4-1 on the night.

Doyle said: “It’s disappointing with our first half to go and find ourselves two goals down. They caused us a lot of problems particularly down the left side. I felt it was a soft free-kick that Chris Lyons got. He is very good at winning free-kicks like that when they are not necessarily free-kicks. The lad puts the free-kick very close to the top corner and then Doyle scores to make it 2-0. Lots for us to put right and change in the second half.”

Town’s tactics were changed at the break and Doyle was frustrated that they didn’t get something out of the game and felt Rob Manley should’ve got a penalty: “We came out and we were banging at the door constantly in the second half. We made a number of changes to try and mix things up and cause them problems. We did that.

"I can’t believe we didn’t get a penalty for Rob Manley being absolutely hauled down by his arm in the box. At 2-1 down it does leave you open and exposed at times. They got two late goals to put a gloss on a 4-1 win. In truth the game was a lot closer.”

The introduction of Rob Manley in the early stages of the second half gave Town a real impetus. It begs the question why the striker didn’t start the game or Doyle didn’t go with two up front earlier. The Town boss explained his decision: “In the first half we could’ve done better. It’s easy looking back and saying ‘yeah we definitely maybe could’ve put the two lads up and caused them problems.

"Then at the start of the game they outnumber you in midfield. We felt with the shape tonight we could stop them in areas and we competed well in those areas.”

Doyle admitted there were positives to take from the game. Aodh Dervin was immense for them while it was good to see Aaron McNally get some game time in the second half. The Town boss said about Dervin: “He was excellent. He does a great job and did that for us again tonight. It was great to see Aaron McNally get some minutes. He has been a huge player for us and we haven’t seen much of him at all this season due to injury.”

Despite Town having chances in the second half they didn’t force Drogheda keeper David Odumosu into making a save of note. Doyle said: “We are getting into some great positions and our build-up play is good. Maybe we have to question our ability there and the crosses and final balls. That’s what gets you goals. Yeah we didn’t test their keeper. We have players with quality in that team.”

Next up for Town is Shamrock Rovers at Bishopsgate on Saturday afternoon. Doyle knows well the challenge that Rovers will pose: “We have big games coming up; Shamrock Rovers at home on Saturday. They’re coming off the back of a defeat too. It’s important we get ourselves right for the game at the weekend before we head into the break.”

 



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