Buckley not too downbeat after loss
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Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley saw his team lose to champions Bohemians for the second time this season yet he refused to view Monday's 2-0 defeat in a negative light.
The Ravens have enjoyed a decent start to life in the Premier Division with this result counting as only their second loss in 10 games - leaving them sitting in fourth position.
From Buckley's perspective, there were many reasons to be pleased with how his side played against Bohs despite losing at home for the first time this year.
"Up until Lorcan [Fitzgerald] got sent off there wasn’t a lot in the game. They had their two chances and they took them but defensively we need to look at that again and see see what we can do to tighten that up," said Buckley.
"We played well in the first-half up until the 38th minute when they scored. The goals we gave away were sloppy from a defensive point of view. From their [Bohemians’] end I’m sure they’ll be looked on as good goals.
"We certainly held our own in the first half, one shot went wide and another hit the post. I can’t fault the effort of the lads. On another day these [Fingal’s shots] would go in and it’s a different game. We need to take the chances when we get them.
"We’ve got a good group of lads and I have every confidence in them to face Sligo next Saturday.”
The aforementioned dismissal of defender Lorcan Fitzgerald on 83 minutes drew Buckley’s ire as the Sporting boss felt it was a harsh call by referee Anthony Buttimer.
"It’s certainly not a red card from where I’m at. I’ve had a couple of bent elbows in my face myself from many years ago, I know when it’s a nasty one and when it isn't," he said.
"Lorcan went into all his tackles tonight with a bent arm rather than a straight arm and primarily that’s because he broke his cheekbone a couple of weeks ago. There was no venom in it or nastiness about it.
"To be honest it would have been better if he [the referee] had just called him over and told him not to do it again.”
The Ravens have enjoyed a decent start to life in the Premier Division with this result counting as only their second loss in 10 games - leaving them sitting in fourth position.
From Buckley's perspective, there were many reasons to be pleased with how his side played against Bohs despite losing at home for the first time this year.
"Up until Lorcan [Fitzgerald] got sent off there wasn’t a lot in the game. They had their two chances and they took them but defensively we need to look at that again and see see what we can do to tighten that up," said Buckley.
"We played well in the first-half up until the 38th minute when they scored. The goals we gave away were sloppy from a defensive point of view. From their [Bohemians’] end I’m sure they’ll be looked on as good goals.
"We certainly held our own in the first half, one shot went wide and another hit the post. I can’t fault the effort of the lads. On another day these [Fingal’s shots] would go in and it’s a different game. We need to take the chances when we get them.
"We’ve got a good group of lads and I have every confidence in them to face Sligo next Saturday.”
The aforementioned dismissal of defender Lorcan Fitzgerald on 83 minutes drew Buckley’s ire as the Sporting boss felt it was a harsh call by referee Anthony Buttimer.
"It’s certainly not a red card from where I’m at. I’ve had a couple of bent elbows in my face myself from many years ago, I know when it’s a nasty one and when it isn't," he said.
"Lorcan went into all his tackles tonight with a bent arm rather than a straight arm and primarily that’s because he broke his cheekbone a couple of weeks ago. There was no venom in it or nastiness about it.
"To be honest it would have been better if he [the referee] had just called him over and told him not to do it again.”
About Niall Farrell
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