Tennent’s Irish Cup semi-final: Linfield 3 Lurgan Celtic 0
LURGAN CELTIC boss Colin Malone insists his team’s history-making appearance in the semi-final of the Tennent’s Irish Cup is only the start of things to come.
Even though the Hoops were victims of an Aaron Burns hat-trick, they walked away with their heads held high after giving it a real go. Celtic received a standing ovation by both sets of fans at the finish -- and how they deserved it.
A shock was still on the cards at half-time as Linfield huffed and puffed, but ultimately failed to find a way past stand-in goalkeeper Gavin O’Neill -- a GAA player with St Mary’s from Aghagallon, who was making only his second appearance for the side in place of the suspended Conor McCorry.
But Burns took centre stage after the break. He produced two smart finishes before completing his treble form the penalty spot: “The boys ran themselves into the ground and gave it their all,” said Malone.
“We didn’t have the opportunities Linfield had, but we did create a few chances. What we really took away [from the game] was our name. People now know what we are about. We can hold our heads high having given it our best shot.
“Players, their families and supporters can go away feeling pleased with the performance, if not the result. We’ve had a really good day; we’ve been absolutely spoiled. We aren’t used to facilities like that, but it’s back to reality against Larne on Tuesday night.”
Malone added the cup run was a fairy-tale, but the club’s long-term aim is to perform at the top level on a regular basis: “This has kept the momentum going,” he continued. “We were promoted last year and people thought we would be happy to consolidate, but I think we’ve exceeded all expectations.
“We’ve gone into Championship One and performed very well. We’re sitting third with everything still to play for in terms of winning the title With that performance, you can see why and we aim to be in the Premiership as soon as possible. This was a massive step in the right direction. We have talked about pushing on next year. We have certain players targeted and we’ve already brought better players to the club this season.”
Shot stopper O’Neill admits it was a dream to play at the international venue at such short notice: “I only got the phone call on Tuesday,” he said. “I think there were about seven players from outfield looking to do nets.
“We trained Tuesday and I did a few work-outs at the local park. Then on Thursday, I had a full session. I didn’t find out until this morning after breakfast I would be playing. But the boys keep talking to me throughout the match, they were great. Only three got past me so it could have been worse.”
Linfield manager David Healy admitted his boys had to be patient as Celtic’s defensive strategy was difficult to break down: “If we had got an early goal, it may have been different, but we certainly didn’t underestimate them,” said the former Northern Ireland striker.
“Fair play to Colin Malone and his staff. They came and had a right go. I think towards the end they ran out of legs a little bit. They sat in [behind the ball], so we had to wait for an opportunity. We had a few in the first half that we didn’t take. But I keep telling them, be ruthless and clinical, regardless of why it’s Crusaders, Cliftonville or Warrenpoint.
“Lurgan Celtic were given the utmost respect. But we are in the final, so it was the case of getting the job done. We were professional... we scored three goals and kept a clean sheet, I have to be happy.”
TEAM NEWS
Linfield: Ross Glendinning, Haughey, Callacher, Waterworth (Moore 90), Lowry, Millar (Quinn 67), Burns, Ward, Clarke, Mulgrew, Smyth (Fallon 82); Subs not used: Bates, Reece Glendinning.
Lurgan Celtic: O’Neill, Wilson, Rodgers, Hutchinson, Cochrane (McCabe 87), Malone, Barton, McVeigh, Fitzpatrick ( S Devlin 75), Haire, Conaty (N Devlin 75); Subs not used: Seeley, O’Hara.
Referee: M Smyth (Belfast).
