Buckley disappointed with point
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Dejection was the general feeling for Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley following the concession of a late 88th minute goal to Saint Patrick’s Athletic and the opportunity to claim three points.
Despite taking a 66th minute lead over the Saints through a Conan Byrne goal, Buckley’s side were unable to see out the game. Speaking to Extratime after the game, Buckley expressed his disappointment at not claiming all the points.
“From our point of view, we were coming out to win. We’ve gone 1-0 up and let them back into the game. We’ve stopped passing the ball as well as we can do and ultimately they’ve scored from a mistake at our end. All I want for us is just to box clever once we score and push on to get a second.”
Fingal came into the game without central defenders Shaun Maher and Colin Hawkins, and were dealt a further blow just before kick-off when Kenny Browne picked up a neck injury in the warm-up. Buckley praised his makeshift pairing of Brian Gannon and midfield captain Shaun Williams.
“The pair of them did great. We had no recognised centre back in the team today, obviously with the three lads we have out. We should have at least one of them back for next week. That being said, I can’t fault them for that.”
Despite the late goal though, Buckley saw enough in his side’s performance today to remain positive, praising Conan Byrne’s finishing for his goal. “Yeah, a tremendous finish, he put himself in the right area to score. But we’ve a lot of good players in our group, it’s a collective effort and we’re trying to play better collectively. And today would have been, bearing in mind of Pat’s style of going direct, a contrast of styles in relation to us getting the ball down and they pressed high up the park. But look, it’s a point gained from our view.”
Looking ahead, Buckley signalled his intent that his side would concentrate on the league now that the distraction of Fingal’s Europa League run was finished. “The two Maritimo games were tricky games with all the travelling. That said, I’d expect us to push on now in the league. I’m not sure where we’re going to finish, but it’s very competitive in the top six. I’ve no doubt that the sixth team can see themselves winning the league, finishing second, third, fourth or fifth. It’s the same with the other teams as well. So it’ll be tough and it’ll be an interesting run in till the end of the season.”
While Fingal’s European run is over, Shamrock Rovers remain in the competition and now look forward to the prospect of welcoming Juventus to the Tallaght stadium. Buckley, a former league winner with the Hoops in 1984, could only compliment his former club.
“I think everybody is delighted that they got through. It’s great for the league and the co-efficiency will be that little bit better next year for everybody. Instead of being unseeded, you might be seeded next year for whoever qualifies for Europe. I’m delighted as well as it’s great for the league and especially considering the pain that that club went through for years. It was a great sort of reward as such for the supporters that saved the club.”
Despite taking a 66th minute lead over the Saints through a Conan Byrne goal, Buckley’s side were unable to see out the game. Speaking to Extratime after the game, Buckley expressed his disappointment at not claiming all the points.
“From our point of view, we were coming out to win. We’ve gone 1-0 up and let them back into the game. We’ve stopped passing the ball as well as we can do and ultimately they’ve scored from a mistake at our end. All I want for us is just to box clever once we score and push on to get a second.”
Fingal came into the game without central defenders Shaun Maher and Colin Hawkins, and were dealt a further blow just before kick-off when Kenny Browne picked up a neck injury in the warm-up. Buckley praised his makeshift pairing of Brian Gannon and midfield captain Shaun Williams.
“The pair of them did great. We had no recognised centre back in the team today, obviously with the three lads we have out. We should have at least one of them back for next week. That being said, I can’t fault them for that.”
Despite the late goal though, Buckley saw enough in his side’s performance today to remain positive, praising Conan Byrne’s finishing for his goal. “Yeah, a tremendous finish, he put himself in the right area to score. But we’ve a lot of good players in our group, it’s a collective effort and we’re trying to play better collectively. And today would have been, bearing in mind of Pat’s style of going direct, a contrast of styles in relation to us getting the ball down and they pressed high up the park. But look, it’s a point gained from our view.”
Looking ahead, Buckley signalled his intent that his side would concentrate on the league now that the distraction of Fingal’s Europa League run was finished. “The two Maritimo games were tricky games with all the travelling. That said, I’d expect us to push on now in the league. I’m not sure where we’re going to finish, but it’s very competitive in the top six. I’ve no doubt that the sixth team can see themselves winning the league, finishing second, third, fourth or fifth. It’s the same with the other teams as well. So it’ll be tough and it’ll be an interesting run in till the end of the season.”
While Fingal’s European run is over, Shamrock Rovers remain in the competition and now look forward to the prospect of welcoming Juventus to the Tallaght stadium. Buckley, a former league winner with the Hoops in 1984, could only compliment his former club.
“I think everybody is delighted that they got through. It’s great for the league and the co-efficiency will be that little bit better next year for everybody. Instead of being unseeded, you might be seeded next year for whoever qualifies for Europe. I’m delighted as well as it’s great for the league and especially considering the pain that that club went through for years. It was a great sort of reward as such for the supporters that saved the club.”
