Just the reaction Cousins was hoping for
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An ecstatic Longford Town manager Tony Cousins heaped praise on his players after their surprise win over First Division leaders Waterford United on Saturday night.
Waterford had opened the scoring two minutes after the restart through George O’Callaghan but Town replied with two goals in a four-minute spell from Dave Freeman and John Lester.
What made the win all the more impressive was the fact that the Town played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Craig Mooney picked up his second yellow of the game in the 58th minute.
"I thought the lads were terrific especially after the sending off,” Cousins told Extratime.
"They knew it was either dig-in as hard as they could or just fall apart after the sending off.”
After the shambolic display against Athlone Town in their previous game the Longford boss had asked his players for a big response against Waterford. He got just that as his side put in arguably their best performance of the season.
"The most important thing is the work-rate and we got that. We have good footballers here but you have got to put the work in. I said to them after the game that they got their rewards," said Cousins.
"We looked a lot more solid all over and it was a great performance. I told them to enjoy the win but we turn up for training Monday morning and prepare for Wexford."
Although it was very much a team effort, captain Philip Byrne was in outstanding form in the heart of defence. Cousins admitted that Byrne’s return from injury made a huge difference.
"I do think it makes a big difference when you have your experienced defenders there and I think Philly [Byrne] was magnificent. He showed exactly what we were missing,” he said.
"John [Lester] won every header alongside him. I thought Niall O’Reilly done very well for his first start.
"I kept saying to them every week that they are capable of putting a strong of results together. It was individual mistakes that we were costing us."
Waterford had opened the scoring two minutes after the restart through George O’Callaghan but Town replied with two goals in a four-minute spell from Dave Freeman and John Lester.
What made the win all the more impressive was the fact that the Town played the majority of the second half with 10 men after Craig Mooney picked up his second yellow of the game in the 58th minute.
"I thought the lads were terrific especially after the sending off,” Cousins told Extratime.
"They knew it was either dig-in as hard as they could or just fall apart after the sending off.”
After the shambolic display against Athlone Town in their previous game the Longford boss had asked his players for a big response against Waterford. He got just that as his side put in arguably their best performance of the season.
"The most important thing is the work-rate and we got that. We have good footballers here but you have got to put the work in. I said to them after the game that they got their rewards," said Cousins.
"We looked a lot more solid all over and it was a great performance. I told them to enjoy the win but we turn up for training Monday morning and prepare for Wexford."
Although it was very much a team effort, captain Philip Byrne was in outstanding form in the heart of defence. Cousins admitted that Byrne’s return from injury made a huge difference.
"I do think it makes a big difference when you have your experienced defenders there and I think Philly [Byrne] was magnificent. He showed exactly what we were missing,” he said.
"John [Lester] won every header alongside him. I thought Niall O’Reilly done very well for his first start.
"I kept saying to them every week that they are capable of putting a strong of results together. It was individual mistakes that we were costing us."
