BY MATTHEW WILSON
FANAD United manager Arthur Lynch is hoping that his side can prevail this Sunday when they make the trip to Cork for an FAI Cup meeting with Douglas Hall AFC.
Fanad United recently concluded their Premier Division campaign where they finished up in fourth position.
It was a competitive season where Arthur Lynch felt things could have gone better for his side but since the league ended all eyes have been on the upcoming cup encounter.
The Fanad United boss will have to operate without the services of Oisin Langan and Oisin McHugh, who are sidelined with injuries at present, but otherwise all is going well in the lead up to Sunday’s game.
“We’re doing as much as we can so we’re looking forward to the trip down to Cork this weekend. We’ll just take it as it comes, the boys have trained well and they’ve looked after themselves.
“There’s a few niggling injuries but if we can get over them then we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
The Traigh-a-Loch residents qualified for this term’s FAI Cup courtesy of a run to the last eight of the FAI Junior Cup last season.
Reaching Ireland’s premier cup competition is a brilliant accomplishment for the club and this is something which the manager is aware of.
They competed in this round of the FAI Cup last season but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Leinster Celtic.
With the knowledge and experience gained from playing in the competition now behind them, Lynch is hoping they can use it to their advantage this Sunday
“Absolutely, it’s always a great achievement to get out of the county and play at that level. People might take it for granted sometimes but there’s lots of players in the county that never get to experience that.
“We were lucky enough to have it last year. We didn’t get the result that we wanted so I hope we’re going to learn from it and go one further this year if possible, that’s the aim anyway.”
Fanad United will make the long journey to Cork this weekend for a meeting with Douglas Hall AFC in the first round of the FAI Cup.
The Cork outfit have enjoyed a solid season in their own area and are on course to secure the Munster Senior League Division 1 title.
They reached the last four of the FAI Intermediate Cup last term, where they lost out to eventual winners College Corinthians on penalties.
They’ll provide Lynch’s men with a serious challenge when they make the long journey to Cork for this Sunday’s encounter but the Fanad United boss expressed that they will concentrate own their own game.
“We’ve been down to Cork numerous times over the years and I’ve never had an easy game yet. They’ll be physical and well organised, they’re a good side.
“You don’t get to the last four of the Intermediate Cup if you’re a bad side. They’re going really well this year again. It’ll be a test but we don’t have a bad side either so I’m not too worried about it.
“If we can look after our own end then that’s the important thing. You can only control your own side of it.”