EAMON MCCONIGLEY FELT THAT his Letterkenny Rovers squad were ‘overawed’ by the sight and might of Aviva Stadium in tonight’s FAI Intermediate Cup final.
Crumlin United retained intermediate football’s top prize following a 5-0 win over Rovers, who never got going in D4.
Gregory Moorhouse bagged a hat-trick and, with Alan McGreal and Dean Hurley also on the mark, it was to prove a chastening night at the home of Irish soccer for Rovers.
“The boys were overawed coming in here and were slow to start,” McConigley told Donegal Sport Hub.
Picture caption: The Letterkenny Rovers squad pictured at the Aviva Stadium before the FAI Intermediate Cup final. Picture by Geraldine Diver
“We gave away two early goals and they were two very simple goals. We were playing catch-up after that.
“I was very disappointed with their goals in the second half – they all came from our mistakes.
“Crumlin were up for it and we weren’t. We came into the stadium and we were overawed. There is no place to hide in a place in the Aviva. We just weren’t good enough on the day.”
[adrotate group=”41″]Rovers enjoyed a magical run to this, their first-ever Intermediate decider with Cockhill Celtic, Killester, Middleton and Ringmahon Rangers all having been put to the sword.
After tonight’s game, McConigley admitted that the profile of his squad had him concerned over the last month. And his worst fears came to pass on the biggest stage of all.
He said: “We were carrying four players that are over 34 and 35. You can’t do that in the Aviva. I was always afraid of that.
[adrotate group=”62″]“Fair play to them, they got here – but it was just a step too far. It really showeed on the day. I wouldn’t criticise them and this was just a stage too far.
“We went away to some teams and got draws and the small pitch in Leckview saved us. I thought we would have put up a better showing here.”
[adrotate group=”63″]Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/eamon-mcconigley-after-fai-intermediate-cup-final
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