Russell disappointed at UCD's Cup exit
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Though they staged a very courageous final-quarter fight back against Bray Wanderers on Friday evening, UCD just came up short against the Wicklow side in a compelling FAI Ford Cup encounter at the UCD Bowl, losing in the end on a scoreline of 3-2.
UCD supremo Martin Russell was disappointed to have lost the game, as he would have liked his side to go a little bit further in the competition.
“Yeah, I'm disappointed and disappointed for the group because it would have been nice for them to go as far as they could. As I said, we pride the club on giving the opportunity (to do well in cup competitions), and to get into the last eight would have been a good opportunity”, Russell stated.
In terms of the way the game itself went, Russell felt that the concession of the second goal (an ambitious effort from Seagulls winger Jake Kelly) was a huge turning point in the game, though he did praise his charges for the way they clawed the game back to the bare minimum in the frantic finale.
“Yeah, at 3-0 you're dead and buried, but the second goal was a big killer. At half-time at 1-0, we were thinking if we keep trying to play the same we'll get chances, because we were knocking on the door in the first half. The second goal is a big one, and they probably think (at 3-0) that they're home and hosed. But credit to the lads, they kept playing and we got a couple of good goals, but it wasn't quite enough”.
This defeat meant that UCD have now gone seven games without a win in all competitions, but Russell feels that they will just have to get on with it, and hopefully recover their good form from earlier in the season.
“You just have to play and train hard, and try and keep on improving. I mean, that's the focus. We train, and in the Premier games we give the best that we can, and if we earn our place in the league next year then great. I think we're capable of it, but we've got to earn it rather than just hoping for it”.
Currently lying in 8th place in the table, UCD are just above relegation contenders Drogheda United, who make the visit to Belfield this coming Friday. This is a game that Russell is now looking forward to, as he doesn't want to be dragged into any potential relegation play-off come the end of the season.
“No, you don't. You don't want to get involved (in the play-offs). You want to go as high as you can in the league, and if you've still got a chance of climbing over one or two teams, then that's what we'll try and do. What we've got to do is look forward to Drogheda, and the other Premier games. Everybody wants to stay at the highest level for as long as they can and move on, and I'm sure we'll work hard towards that”, Russell added.
UCD supremo Martin Russell was disappointed to have lost the game, as he would have liked his side to go a little bit further in the competition.
“Yeah, I'm disappointed and disappointed for the group because it would have been nice for them to go as far as they could. As I said, we pride the club on giving the opportunity (to do well in cup competitions), and to get into the last eight would have been a good opportunity”, Russell stated.
In terms of the way the game itself went, Russell felt that the concession of the second goal (an ambitious effort from Seagulls winger Jake Kelly) was a huge turning point in the game, though he did praise his charges for the way they clawed the game back to the bare minimum in the frantic finale.
“Yeah, at 3-0 you're dead and buried, but the second goal was a big killer. At half-time at 1-0, we were thinking if we keep trying to play the same we'll get chances, because we were knocking on the door in the first half. The second goal is a big one, and they probably think (at 3-0) that they're home and hosed. But credit to the lads, they kept playing and we got a couple of good goals, but it wasn't quite enough”.
This defeat meant that UCD have now gone seven games without a win in all competitions, but Russell feels that they will just have to get on with it, and hopefully recover their good form from earlier in the season.
“You just have to play and train hard, and try and keep on improving. I mean, that's the focus. We train, and in the Premier games we give the best that we can, and if we earn our place in the league next year then great. I think we're capable of it, but we've got to earn it rather than just hoping for it”.
Currently lying in 8th place in the table, UCD are just above relegation contenders Drogheda United, who make the visit to Belfield this coming Friday. This is a game that Russell is now looking forward to, as he doesn't want to be dragged into any potential relegation play-off come the end of the season.
“No, you don't. You don't want to get involved (in the play-offs). You want to go as high as you can in the league, and if you've still got a chance of climbing over one or two teams, then that's what we'll try and do. What we've got to do is look forward to Drogheda, and the other Premier games. Everybody wants to stay at the highest level for as long as they can and move on, and I'm sure we'll work hard towards that”, Russell added.
About Daire Walsh
Daire Walsh began reporting for Extratime in 2009, when he covered Kildare County's games in the League Of Ireland First Division. He currently reports on games involving the league's Dublin sides and also Bray Wanderers. … View Full Profile