Dubliner Coughlan’s Newport County exit FA Cup to Manchester United

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Credit: extratime.com

The EFL’s only permanent Irish manager and lifelong Manchester United supporter Graham Coughlan and his Newport players gave the Premier League side a fright on Sunday afternoon. 

For 21 minutes on Sunday, Graham Coughlan, his players, and the incredible vocal home support believed they would be heading to Old Trafford next week for a replay. 

However, it wasn't meant to be for the former Bray Wanderers defender, as Antony was on hand to score after Luke Shaw’s initial effort rebounded off the post. Rasmus Højlund scored late in additional time to put some gloss on the score line. 

It seemed that United were not messing about, putting out a strong XI against the League Two side. The FA Cup presents United with their only opportunity left of attaining silverware this season. 

Newport was also up for it. Coughlan's starting eleven featured Irish players Ryan Delaney, Shane McLoughlin, and Harry Charsley. Rodney Parade had additional capacity and it was sold out. 

The Exiles are no strangers to previous cup upsets at home in recent years. They have taken down Leicester City, drawn to Spurs and given Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City a run for their money. 

Coughlan admitted that his men gave themselves “a mountain to climb” after going two goals down in 13 minutes, but a Bryn Morris’ long-range deflected effort gave the League Two side hope before half-time.

Following a few tweaks at half-time, Newport came out all guns blazing in the second half. Talisman Will Evans netted two minutes after the interval to send Rodney Parade berserk. At this point Coughlan felt that he was “dreaming”. 

Speaking to the media post-match, the Dubliner spoke of how proud he was of his players. 

"I'm really proud of them. It didn't take a tie against Manchester United where we scored two goals for me to know that. I say it to them every week. 



The character and resilience that they show is second to none. I'm a little bit disappointed with the goals we conceded and the moments that fell to Man United and didn't fall to us.

"They hurt us; top teams do. Gives them chances and they will take them. I'm not sure we asked enough questions of them but at 2-2 I was dreaming, I thought we could have taken them back to Old Trafford, but it wasn't to be, that's the difference in class and gulf in quality.”

When discussing the equaliser, Coughlan said, 

"Man United were rattled in that 10 to 15 minute period and if we were to have got another one who knows?

But at the end of the day that's good football and the better team has gone through. I'll just keep challenging our lads now and that's what they should take away from this game.”

When asked about Erik Ten Hag, Coughlan addressed the similarities between the resilience and the character that the two clubs have shown. 



The United boss gifted him a bottle of red wine and thanked him for their hospitality, it’s a shame Coughlan isn’t a red wine fan. 

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