Richardson full of praise for Shels
Tuesday, 27 March 2001Shamrock Rovers boss Damien Richardson was full of praise for opponents Shelbourne after last night's 1-1 draw in the quarter-final of the Harp Lager FAI Cup. In what was an exciting and lively encounter at Tolka Park, Rovers took the lead just a minute before half-time against the run of play, when Pat Deans' shot from about 40 yards out found the net. Shelbourne deservedly equalised just seconds into the second half through Pat Fenlon.
Afterwards, Richardson applauded the efforts of Shelbourne. "On the balance of play I have to concede Shelbourne shaded it. They had better chances than we had and there's no sense me deluding anybody. Our lads worked very hard but I think the lay-off has affected us - that little sharpness, the edge, which has been part of our play for so long, wasn't there so I was very happy with the draw," said Richardson.
"In the last few minutes they had a great chance, which went over the bar, that could have put us out of the Cup. I think Shamrock Rovers got the rub of the green so I'm very pleased with that aspect of tonight - we needed a little bit of luck in the Cup and we got it," he added. The replay will now take place next Thursday night.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
