Russell happy with Setanta Cup debut
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Martin Russell had a satisfied look about him as he spoke to extratime after his UCD side had just played out a scoreless draw with Lisburn Distillery in the Setanta Cup on Monday night.
It was UCD’s first appearance in this competition and they acquitted themselves admirably, creating the better chances and defending with a solidity that should serve them well in the second leg which takes place in Lisburn in two weeks time.
The ‘students’ performance was all the more impressive for the fact that this was only their third game of what is still very much their pre-season while their opponents had been playing competitive football since last August.
“I was quite pleased with it”, said Russell “We weren’t perfect and there’s a lot of stuff to build on but it was a good work out for a first competitive outing. It’s only half time and we’ve seen tonight, Distillery earned respect the way they played. But we’re looking forward to going there, hopefully playing well, and getting through.”
Russell was particularly pleased with the manner in which his three new signings fitted in to the evening’s events. “Yael (Haro) has come into the group, and the other two boys, Darren (Meenan) and Dean (Marshall), and they’ve made their competitive debuts for the club tonight and they’ve all participated well and shown good moments.
The UCD boss also had good things to say about youngster Daniel Ledwith who has impressed in the club’s two friendlies to date and almost created a late winner having come on as a substitute in the 71st minute.
“We made a slight change bringing Darren Meenan in more central off the front man and Daniel came on and put a great ball in. There was nobody to tap it in but they’ve all had good moments tonight and there’s definitely something we can work with. In terms of his squad for the upcoming season Russell reckons most of his work is done. “Obviously there’s a couple of weeks left and there’s possibly one or two individuals that may come in. At present we’re up to 33 signed players that are all in the mix there but there’s possibly one or two to be added.
But in keeping with the philosophy of the club Russell will be more than willing to give his young players the opportunity to stake a claim in his first team. “There’s a couple of young scholarship lads that were on the bench tonight that we could have used and may use in the future, so they’ll get their chances. And the club is like that, we introduce new blood when we think it’s right so they’ll add to the competition. It’s great for these lads to get a chance at the highest level in the country, and that UCD is the club they get it at.
It was UCD’s first appearance in this competition and they acquitted themselves admirably, creating the better chances and defending with a solidity that should serve them well in the second leg which takes place in Lisburn in two weeks time.
The ‘students’ performance was all the more impressive for the fact that this was only their third game of what is still very much their pre-season while their opponents had been playing competitive football since last August.
“I was quite pleased with it”, said Russell “We weren’t perfect and there’s a lot of stuff to build on but it was a good work out for a first competitive outing. It’s only half time and we’ve seen tonight, Distillery earned respect the way they played. But we’re looking forward to going there, hopefully playing well, and getting through.”
Russell was particularly pleased with the manner in which his three new signings fitted in to the evening’s events. “Yael (Haro) has come into the group, and the other two boys, Darren (Meenan) and Dean (Marshall), and they’ve made their competitive debuts for the club tonight and they’ve all participated well and shown good moments.
The UCD boss also had good things to say about youngster Daniel Ledwith who has impressed in the club’s two friendlies to date and almost created a late winner having come on as a substitute in the 71st minute.
“We made a slight change bringing Darren Meenan in more central off the front man and Daniel came on and put a great ball in. There was nobody to tap it in but they’ve all had good moments tonight and there’s definitely something we can work with. In terms of his squad for the upcoming season Russell reckons most of his work is done. “Obviously there’s a couple of weeks left and there’s possibly one or two individuals that may come in. At present we’re up to 33 signed players that are all in the mix there but there’s possibly one or two to be added.
But in keeping with the philosophy of the club Russell will be more than willing to give his young players the opportunity to stake a claim in his first team. “There’s a couple of young scholarship lads that were on the bench tonight that we could have used and may use in the future, so they’ll get their chances. And the club is like that, we introduce new blood when we think it’s right so they’ll add to the competition. It’s great for these lads to get a chance at the highest level in the country, and that UCD is the club they get it at.
About Simon O'Gorman
Simon O'Gorman began reporting for Extratime in 2010. He remembers Milltown and Flower Lodge and, back in the mists of time, saw Diego Maradona play at Lansdowne Road. He now lives in Co Kildare and … View Full Profile