Gavin Cullen was full of praise for his Cockhill Celtic side that were unfortunate to lose out in the FAI Intermediate Cup final yesterday on penalties.
1-1 after 120 minutes and nothing separating themselves and last year’s winners Rockmount AFC, the game went to a penalty shootout in Sligo.
Cockhill had a penalty to win it, but they failed to take their chance to win 4-3 and subsequently missed their last three penalties, but manager Cullen couldn’t fault his team.
“It wasn’t to be, I can’t ask for any more from the group of players, they left it all out on the pitch, they really did.
“They put every effort and everything they done to a tee.
“We played fairly well and probably shaded the game over the 120 minutes but when it comes to penalties it was either ours or Rockmount’s day and disappointingly it was theirs today.
“At the end of the game we asked who was up for (hitting a penalty) and to a man we had seven or eight looking to hit penalties so that’s a testament to the character of them players and it either goes your way or it doesn’t.
Eoin Murphy’s free-kick on 16 minutes was crossed towards the back post and defender Adam Crowley finished first time past Harry Doherty to give the Cork side the lead after a slow start from Cockhill.
But when Jason Sexton fouled Luke Rudden in the box five minutes later, it woke the Inishowen side up once Lee McColgan slotted the penalty away.
And while Cockhill had chances to win it, Cullen said the two sides were well matched.
“They started better than us and we were a bit nervy but after that (penalty) I thought we settled in and it was two very good and evenly matched sides I thought.
“We had a couple of chances, Christy (McLaughlin) had a chance and Stephen Duffy, the ‘keeper made a brilliant save in extra-time.
“There was big moments, Harry (Doherty) made a great save near the end of the second half as well so there was moments for both teams and the crowd made a lot of noise and it was a real proper football match.”
Cullen also praised the fans that travelled down to the Showgrounds to support his club and believes the club have put their name truly on the map and proven how good they are in recent weeks.
“It was an amazing crowd and they made noise from the first minute to the last, they really backed the players and they seen that and it helped them.
“It was a fantastic occasion for the group of players and myself and the fans, I’d say they’re away home proud of the lads.
“The build-up in the last couple of weeks has been absolutely brilliant and the club was growing in stature to where I believe they should be anyway and we’ve proved on no end that we’re a match for anybody at this level and that’s a testament to everything we have been doing and long may that continue.”
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