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Glengad celebrate best ever result
17.12.08
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by
Simon McGeady, Inishowen Independent GLENGAD United Football Club are the pride of the Inishowen League following an impressive penalty shootout win at NUI Galway on Saturday that put them in the hat for the last 32 draw in this year’s FAI Junior Cup. Speaking to the Inishowen Independent after the win, manager Liam McClean wasn’t holding back his praise. “This is by far and away the most significant result in our club's history. We would not have played at this level before. The forwards Galway had were as good as, if not better than, those at the top clubs in Inishowen. They often played the ball into the channels to use their speed. This gave us the biggest problem, but credit to our back four, they harried and hassled them for a solid 90 minutes. Michael McLaughlin made two crucial early saves and that helped us settle down,” said the Ballymena boys boss. Glengad took the lead just before the break but fell 2-1 behind by the middle point of the second half only for Paul McDermott to equalise late on to send the game to extra time. The Strand Hotel First Division high-fliers edged the penalty shootout 7-6, much to McClean’s relief. “We were put out of the FAI Junior Cup, Ulster Cup and Fr O’Gara Cup on penalties last season, so I just said ‘look boys, you’ve got nothing to lose’ and to their credit they were relaxed and scored every one.” The spirit in the Glengad United camp has been excellent all season, according to McClean who said six of the first team squad have 100% attendance records at training this season, with the rest not far behind. McClean is eyeing up a glamorous home tie in the next round. “We want a home draw against one of the bigger teams. We’ll take them on at our new pitch. It will be a great day for the club.” The last 32 stage takes place in the middle of January. Illies Celtic we’re knocked out at this stage by Castlebar last term. McClean said he’ll be seeking the advice of Redcastle manager Bryan Bell as he attempts to emulate the Foyle Park supremo’s success in this competition over the years. The Glengad man sees a bright future for Glengad, insisting this team can go up this season, and crucially, be competitive in the Premier Division. “We have a nice mix of boys in their mid 20s and younger players. Players from the U14 team that reached the semi-final of the National Cup four years ago, like John Gerard McLaughlin, Stephen McLaughlin and Paul McGonagle are all coming through to the senior team. “We are normally sitting idle by November, so it’s a welcome change,” joked McClean who paid tribute to the input of outside coaches Gavin Cullen and Paul Murphy in improving the play of the United squad. Following the historic win in Galway McClean says the task now was to keep his players feet on the ground. “We’ve got Rashenny away at the weekend and starting Tuesday night that will be our focus. The league is our priority this season and there’s no use winning down in Galway if we slip in the Isle of Doagh.” |
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