Hunt ready for Wembley showdown
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Reading striker Noel Hunt has his sights firmly set on the Premier League after his side overcame Cardiff City on Tuesday night. Two goals from fellow Irishman Shane Long and one from Jobi McAnuff booked Reading’s place in the Championship play-off final against Swansea City.
“I think we sealed the deal when Jobi (McAnuff) scored the third goal”, the former Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United striker told Beat102103’s Martin Clancy, “and then we could relax a bit and see the game out. After in the dressing room it was special, the chairman was down and some of the board were down - it was nice.”
“To be fair I only got a collection of three or four hours sleep with the adrenaline and that, and not being able to sleep and being up early, but yeah it’s a nice feeling.”
Shane Long doubled their lead on the stroke of half time and Hunt revealed the instructions from the manager during the half time break. “Just keep on doing what we’re doing. We had a good strong formation, we played a 4-4-1-1, it just gave me a bit of a holding job to keep an eye on Whittingham and not let him get on the ball too much and play off him really.”
Shane Long grabbed his 24th and 25th goal of the season during the game and, although not scoring himself, Hunt was happy to see his strike partner grab the goals.
“He did to be fair it took an age for it to come down, he didn’t realise it but he could have side-footed it in, without getting the height on it. I think my heart stopped for a few seconds with the height on it, and it’s great to have Shane up there, it gives me the chance to do what the staff want me to do, it works both ways for both us and I’m just glad he’s on the scoresheet. I said to him at half time i’d try my best to get him the hat-trick.”
Monday May 30th is the date that may stay with Hunt for many years should his side come out on top in the Championship decided in Wembley Stadium, but Hunt is confident that his side can win.
“Yeah you know it’s a massive game and the story turned out quite nice. Obviously they are a nice footballing side, the best in the league at what they do, but we’ve got to stick to our plan and work hard and we'll see what comes at the end of it.”
With thanks to Martin Clancy, Sports Editor, Beat102103
“I think we sealed the deal when Jobi (McAnuff) scored the third goal”, the former Shamrock Rovers and Waterford United striker told Beat102103’s Martin Clancy, “and then we could relax a bit and see the game out. After in the dressing room it was special, the chairman was down and some of the board were down - it was nice.”
“To be fair I only got a collection of three or four hours sleep with the adrenaline and that, and not being able to sleep and being up early, but yeah it’s a nice feeling.”
Shane Long doubled their lead on the stroke of half time and Hunt revealed the instructions from the manager during the half time break. “Just keep on doing what we’re doing. We had a good strong formation, we played a 4-4-1-1, it just gave me a bit of a holding job to keep an eye on Whittingham and not let him get on the ball too much and play off him really.”
Shane Long grabbed his 24th and 25th goal of the season during the game and, although not scoring himself, Hunt was happy to see his strike partner grab the goals.
“He did to be fair it took an age for it to come down, he didn’t realise it but he could have side-footed it in, without getting the height on it. I think my heart stopped for a few seconds with the height on it, and it’s great to have Shane up there, it gives me the chance to do what the staff want me to do, it works both ways for both us and I’m just glad he’s on the scoresheet. I said to him at half time i’d try my best to get him the hat-trick.”
Monday May 30th is the date that may stay with Hunt for many years should his side come out on top in the Championship decided in Wembley Stadium, but Hunt is confident that his side can win.
“Yeah you know it’s a massive game and the story turned out quite nice. Obviously they are a nice footballing side, the best in the league at what they do, but we’ve got to stick to our plan and work hard and we'll see what comes at the end of it.”
With thanks to Martin Clancy, Sports Editor, Beat102103
About Brendan White
Brendan White is Extratime News Editor and is responsible for the news section of Extratime.ie. Brendan also covers matches in Dublin and Waterford. You can contact Brendan on twitter @whitebrendan. View Full Profile