Tommy Barrett: 'Look we’re in the hat and that’s what matters'

Tommy Barrett

Tommy Barrett Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

After a frustrating evening, Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett looked a relieved man to have safely navigated his side through to the next round following a penalty shoot-out victory over non-league Kilbarrack United in the FAI Cup Second Round in the Markets Field on Friday evening.

It took extra time and penalties for the Shannonsiders to get over the line in a scoreless stalemate in a game where both sides had chances to win.

“Look we’re in the hat and that’s what matters. We had plenty of chances to score but at the same time we could have lost it too,” said Barrett after the game.

“Kilbarrack had a good shape to them and they stuck to their task. They probably feel unlucky that they didn’t get the win because in the second half, they had the better chances.”

Young goalkeeper Michael Dike, who has been on the receiving end of cross-channel interest, was the shoot-out hero. The seventeen-year-old saved two of four to help Treaty earn a safe passage to the last sixteen.

“Michael has great potential, we rate him very highly and we think that he’ll be a really good keeper. He’s someone who would benefit from a full-time environment and he has a big future in the game,” said Barrett.

Barrett and Treaty will now reflect and await their round three opponents in the midweek draw but will turn their attention to the visit of playoff-chasing Finn Harps in the SSE Airtricity League First Division.

“Obviously we want a home tie in the next round but if we play like we did tonight we won’t have a chance. We’ve got Harps now next week and that will be a difficult game, they’re a good side who are in the play-offs for a reason. They’re solid at the back and they know how to grind out results so it's going to be a difficult one for us.”

The draw for the FAI Cup third round takes place on Tuesday, 23 July at 12:30pm.

About Éanna Mackey

You can reach me on twitter at @e_macaoidh View Full Profile