O'Neill happy with weakened side's performance
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill was happy with how his team
acquitted themselves against Lisburn Distillery in Tuesday night’s
victory in the Setanta Cup Quarter Final, despite not fielding his
recognised first XI.
“There was a lot of good stuff tonight, (Ciaran) Kilduff up front, I thought (Karl) Sheppard did well in the wide area, Paddy (Kavanagh) in the wide area, and (Stephen) O’Donnell and (Stephen)Rice in the middle as well. We had young Mick Doyle who’s 18 and come through the schoolboys, making his debut tonight and did very well”
Commenting on Dean Kelly's withdrawal through injury in the second half O’Neill said it was more a precautionary matter than anything too serious.
“It was more of a muscle related injury, a cramp injury, I don’t think it’s anything serious but we will see how he is tomorrow. He did well tonight as well, Dean did well and was unlucky not to score tonight. Him and Ciaran did well tonight up top”
It’s onto Derry on Friday now in the League for the Hoops, and O’Neill mentioned that it’s great to see the Candystripes back in the top flight.
“I think everyone is glad to see them back in the division. The Brandywell is a good place to go and play and we are looking forward to it. They’ve got a nice blend of good young players up there, and they have held on to a lot of their good experienced players as well so it will be a tough, tough game but one that we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, Lisburn boss Tommy Wright was happy with his teams part in an entertaining game but admitted that his side were made to pay for missed chances in both legs.
“I thought we acquitted ourselves extremely well, as we did in the first game, we had chances in the first game and at crucial stages in this game we didn’t take them. Cushley had a great chance before we scored and with a wee bit more composure would have scored. Overall we are pleased with our performance, but we are disappointed in the last two goals we gave away, and it would have been nice to get something out of the game.”
Wright admitted that it was the equalizer conceded just before half time, and Rovers second goal just after half time that proved to be the killer blow to any hopes Lisburn had of getting back into the tie.
“It’s always disappointing to lose goals at those times, we could have stopped the first one round about the halfway line but we let them in too easy and it was a good finish. Second one, Rice has run off and really should have been picked up but Rovers are a quality side and have a quality squad. I know Michael's made a lot of changes but he has the luxury of the players he can bring in. We’ve had to make a lot of changes through work commitments and injuries, but I’m delighted, we had four players 19 and under out there tonight and we’re happy how they have acquitted themselves. It’s a learning curve when you play against quality opposition and you must take the positives from the game”
Shamrock Rovers now go on to the semi finals of the competition and will face the winner of the tie between Sligo Rovers and Portadown, with the first leg played on April 11th.
“There was a lot of good stuff tonight, (Ciaran) Kilduff up front, I thought (Karl) Sheppard did well in the wide area, Paddy (Kavanagh) in the wide area, and (Stephen) O’Donnell and (Stephen)Rice in the middle as well. We had young Mick Doyle who’s 18 and come through the schoolboys, making his debut tonight and did very well”
Commenting on Dean Kelly's withdrawal through injury in the second half O’Neill said it was more a precautionary matter than anything too serious.
“It was more of a muscle related injury, a cramp injury, I don’t think it’s anything serious but we will see how he is tomorrow. He did well tonight as well, Dean did well and was unlucky not to score tonight. Him and Ciaran did well tonight up top”
It’s onto Derry on Friday now in the League for the Hoops, and O’Neill mentioned that it’s great to see the Candystripes back in the top flight.
“I think everyone is glad to see them back in the division. The Brandywell is a good place to go and play and we are looking forward to it. They’ve got a nice blend of good young players up there, and they have held on to a lot of their good experienced players as well so it will be a tough, tough game but one that we are looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, Lisburn boss Tommy Wright was happy with his teams part in an entertaining game but admitted that his side were made to pay for missed chances in both legs.
“I thought we acquitted ourselves extremely well, as we did in the first game, we had chances in the first game and at crucial stages in this game we didn’t take them. Cushley had a great chance before we scored and with a wee bit more composure would have scored. Overall we are pleased with our performance, but we are disappointed in the last two goals we gave away, and it would have been nice to get something out of the game.”
Wright admitted that it was the equalizer conceded just before half time, and Rovers second goal just after half time that proved to be the killer blow to any hopes Lisburn had of getting back into the tie.
“It’s always disappointing to lose goals at those times, we could have stopped the first one round about the halfway line but we let them in too easy and it was a good finish. Second one, Rice has run off and really should have been picked up but Rovers are a quality side and have a quality squad. I know Michael's made a lot of changes but he has the luxury of the players he can bring in. We’ve had to make a lot of changes through work commitments and injuries, but I’m delighted, we had four players 19 and under out there tonight and we’re happy how they have acquitted themselves. It’s a learning curve when you play against quality opposition and you must take the positives from the game”
Shamrock Rovers now go on to the semi finals of the competition and will face the winner of the tie between Sligo Rovers and Portadown, with the first leg played on April 11th.
