An Insight into Cup Final Week
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Saturday was St Pat’s first Cup Final since 2006, when they were beaten 4-3 in a windswept Lansdowne Road by Derry City. Out of the current team, Dave Mulcahy is the only player to have been involved back then and it shows the upheaval the club has experienced over the past four years. It had been far too long since St Pat’s appearance in a major final and it was great to see us back playing in a high profile occasion.
The week of a cup final is different to any other week you will experience in a season. As soon as the week begins, the focus can be seen in player’s attitudes and any players with a niggling injury suddenly find a near miraculous recovery ensuring they are available for selection.
On a personal note, my cup final week entailed lots of ice on my hamstring, coupled with rehab, an MRI scan and being a spectator for the training sessions, which was not ideal. Frustrated and irritated were two words which could have been used to describe me all week.
Our team this season is one of the youngest squads I have ever been involved in. Stuart Byrne, Dave Mulcahy, Dan Connor and I are the exception and it was our job to ensure that the lads had the correct approach for the game. Any experience we lack throughout the squad was made up for by probably the most experienced management team in the country. As ever, Pete’s approach was the same as it has been all season; “keep doing the same things that has got us to the final and the game would take care of itself”’.
As part of our preparation, the squad met up early on Friday. After a great day of training, most of the lads elected to go to the cinema on Friday evening, a way to pass two hours without thinking of the final. On our way to the pictures, there was a passing thought on the league games happening that evening. After enjoying Iron Man 2, hearing Galway held Dundalk to a 0-0 draw, was an added bonus for us prior to the final.
Match day dragged a little waiting for kick off, and generally the feeling within the squad was one of impatience. For me, when we turned up seeing the Tallaght Stadium, it really sank in just what a great occasion I was going to miss out on. During a playing career, cup finals can be few and far between and missing one due to injury, is a real disappointment.
Apart from myself, I was very disappointed for one of our best player so far this season. David McAllister woke up on the morning of the game with a bug and was unable to play. Missing his first major cup final is disappointing for Dave, but I am sure he will be involved in many more cup finals in what is sure to be a great career in the League of Ireland.
Finally the game was upon us, and the Pats supporters were in great form, the large numbers which turned up for the day was a real boost for the players. With such a young squad one issue for us was how we were going to start, and were we going to be overawed. Thankfully, we started very well and Ryan Guy’s summersault throw-in brought a great bit of entertainment to the day.
On the game itself, we were unable to claw back an early goal from Anto Murphy. Our second half performance was excellent and the only thing missing was an equaliser, which we deserved. The experience of the Bohs team was there for everyone to see with Brian Shelley and Owen Heary putting in great performances at the back for them. With Gareth Coughlan hitting the bar and Vinny Faherty missing a decent chance, at the very least I thought we deserved to bring the game to extra time.
Watching the opposition going up to collect the cup is one of the hardest things to do as a player. One thing that must be said is congratulations to Owen Heary, in winning the Setanta Cup on Saturday he has won every trophy available in Ireland over his career clocking up six league titles. He is a player I have the utmost respect for, and any young players starting out should look and learn how to conduct themselves as a professional.
Losing the final is such a disappointment but the manner in which we lost was pleasing. At no time did we give up and we pushed Bohs hard till the final whistle and the relief on their faces said it all. Next Friday we face Bohs in Richmond and a win there would go some way in making up for the disappointment of Saturday, although not totally.
The week of a cup final is different to any other week you will experience in a season. As soon as the week begins, the focus can be seen in player’s attitudes and any players with a niggling injury suddenly find a near miraculous recovery ensuring they are available for selection.
On a personal note, my cup final week entailed lots of ice on my hamstring, coupled with rehab, an MRI scan and being a spectator for the training sessions, which was not ideal. Frustrated and irritated were two words which could have been used to describe me all week.
Our team this season is one of the youngest squads I have ever been involved in. Stuart Byrne, Dave Mulcahy, Dan Connor and I are the exception and it was our job to ensure that the lads had the correct approach for the game. Any experience we lack throughout the squad was made up for by probably the most experienced management team in the country. As ever, Pete’s approach was the same as it has been all season; “keep doing the same things that has got us to the final and the game would take care of itself”’.
As part of our preparation, the squad met up early on Friday. After a great day of training, most of the lads elected to go to the cinema on Friday evening, a way to pass two hours without thinking of the final. On our way to the pictures, there was a passing thought on the league games happening that evening. After enjoying Iron Man 2, hearing Galway held Dundalk to a 0-0 draw, was an added bonus for us prior to the final.
Match day dragged a little waiting for kick off, and generally the feeling within the squad was one of impatience. For me, when we turned up seeing the Tallaght Stadium, it really sank in just what a great occasion I was going to miss out on. During a playing career, cup finals can be few and far between and missing one due to injury, is a real disappointment.
Apart from myself, I was very disappointed for one of our best player so far this season. David McAllister woke up on the morning of the game with a bug and was unable to play. Missing his first major cup final is disappointing for Dave, but I am sure he will be involved in many more cup finals in what is sure to be a great career in the League of Ireland.
Finally the game was upon us, and the Pats supporters were in great form, the large numbers which turned up for the day was a real boost for the players. With such a young squad one issue for us was how we were going to start, and were we going to be overawed. Thankfully, we started very well and Ryan Guy’s summersault throw-in brought a great bit of entertainment to the day.
On the game itself, we were unable to claw back an early goal from Anto Murphy. Our second half performance was excellent and the only thing missing was an equaliser, which we deserved. The experience of the Bohs team was there for everyone to see with Brian Shelley and Owen Heary putting in great performances at the back for them. With Gareth Coughlan hitting the bar and Vinny Faherty missing a decent chance, at the very least I thought we deserved to bring the game to extra time.
Watching the opposition going up to collect the cup is one of the hardest things to do as a player. One thing that must be said is congratulations to Owen Heary, in winning the Setanta Cup on Saturday he has won every trophy available in Ireland over his career clocking up six league titles. He is a player I have the utmost respect for, and any young players starting out should look and learn how to conduct themselves as a professional.
Losing the final is such a disappointment but the manner in which we lost was pleasing. At no time did we give up and we pushed Bohs hard till the final whistle and the relief on their faces said it all. Next Friday we face Bohs in Richmond and a win there would go some way in making up for the disappointment of Saturday, although not totally.
About Damian Lynch
Premier Perspective: Damian Lynch is an extratime.ie columnist giving his views on the current state of the league as well as his own personal performance with St. Patricks Athletic. The Saints' skipper will give his … View Full Profile