Buckley encouraged by Sporting display
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
After a 2-0 win over Galway United at the Morton Stadium on Saturday,
Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley said he was “delighted” that his
side got a win.
Although Fingal had the Tribesmen on the back foot for most of the match, Buckley’s side did seem to struggle to finish the chances they got against a shaky Galway defence at times.
“It was important that we got the three points today, bearing in mind the other results” said Buckley.
In the previous meeting of Galway United and Sporting in Terryland, the two sides drew 1-1. Fingal came away with a point only thanks to a late equaliser, and Liam Buckley was quick to acknowledge how pleased he was to beat United at home.
“It is nice to turn them over in our place. We played reasonably well, we created the bulk of the chances in the game. If anybody was going to win it, it would have been us today. I’ve seen us play better but I’m pleased with the effort the lads have given. We can now look forward to Mervue next Friday and hopefully we’ll get the same result.”
Speaking exclusively to extratime.ie after the match, Buckley recognised the need for Fingal to improve aspects of their game.
“We’re working on improving the quality of our play. With the system we’re trying to play there is plenty of room for the guys to develop their play and go and be as offensive as they possibly can. I’ve no doubt we’ll score our fair share of goals this year. Albeit we have got a few draws, nonetheless we have only lost twice this season. I would see us being more geared to winning matches as distinct from not losing them. When we play well, I feel we’re as good as anybody in the league.”
Asked to assess Fingal’s chances in the league this season, Buckley says that the top two from last season are still the teams to beat.
“Bohs and Rovers will be the benchmark this year: if you get ahead of them you’ll win this league,” Buckley said.
“Although Bohs have beaten us,” the Sporting manager continues, “we’ve held our own.”
Last weekend saw Fingal hold Shamrock Rovers to a draw in Tallaght, and Buckley holds that result up as a mark of how well his team are performing. “There was very little in it last weekend and we had our chances. So we just need to keep ourselves in the mix, we need a little bit of luck with injuries and suspensions and all that. If we can keep putting out a team that will compete we’ll be OK.”
Putting out a team to compete seems not to be a problem for Fingal, as reserve players like Keith Quinn and Brian Gannon showed on Saturday as they lined out against Galway.
Buckley echoed how satisfied he was with the combined effort of his players, and specifically the work ethic they displayed.
“We were struggling with one or two [players] today, and the guys who came in worked extremely hard. We want to have a work ethic for Sporting Fingal that if you’re playing for us you’ve got to work hard.”
Although Fingal had the Tribesmen on the back foot for most of the match, Buckley’s side did seem to struggle to finish the chances they got against a shaky Galway defence at times.
“It was important that we got the three points today, bearing in mind the other results” said Buckley.
In the previous meeting of Galway United and Sporting in Terryland, the two sides drew 1-1. Fingal came away with a point only thanks to a late equaliser, and Liam Buckley was quick to acknowledge how pleased he was to beat United at home.
“It is nice to turn them over in our place. We played reasonably well, we created the bulk of the chances in the game. If anybody was going to win it, it would have been us today. I’ve seen us play better but I’m pleased with the effort the lads have given. We can now look forward to Mervue next Friday and hopefully we’ll get the same result.”
Speaking exclusively to extratime.ie after the match, Buckley recognised the need for Fingal to improve aspects of their game.
“We’re working on improving the quality of our play. With the system we’re trying to play there is plenty of room for the guys to develop their play and go and be as offensive as they possibly can. I’ve no doubt we’ll score our fair share of goals this year. Albeit we have got a few draws, nonetheless we have only lost twice this season. I would see us being more geared to winning matches as distinct from not losing them. When we play well, I feel we’re as good as anybody in the league.”
Asked to assess Fingal’s chances in the league this season, Buckley says that the top two from last season are still the teams to beat.
“Bohs and Rovers will be the benchmark this year: if you get ahead of them you’ll win this league,” Buckley said.
“Although Bohs have beaten us,” the Sporting manager continues, “we’ve held our own.”
Last weekend saw Fingal hold Shamrock Rovers to a draw in Tallaght, and Buckley holds that result up as a mark of how well his team are performing. “There was very little in it last weekend and we had our chances. So we just need to keep ourselves in the mix, we need a little bit of luck with injuries and suspensions and all that. If we can keep putting out a team that will compete we’ll be OK.”
Putting out a team to compete seems not to be a problem for Fingal, as reserve players like Keith Quinn and Brian Gannon showed on Saturday as they lined out against Galway.
Buckley echoed how satisfied he was with the combined effort of his players, and specifically the work ethic they displayed.
“We were struggling with one or two [players] today, and the guys who came in worked extremely hard. We want to have a work ethic for Sporting Fingal that if you’re playing for us you’ve got to work hard.”
About Niall Farrell
Niall Farrell is our correspondent at Tolka Park, covering the goings-on at Shelbourne. You can visit Niall's website for further information and contact details- niallf.net. View Full Profile