Lee Grace’s last minute goal against Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday meant The Tribesmen’s run in this year’s Extra.ie FAI Cup came to an end, with Shamrock Rovers winning 2-1. A stellar performance from the home side saw Alan Murphy’s
Lee Grace’s last minute goal against Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park on Friday meant The Tribesmen’s run in this year’s Extra.ie FAI Cup came to an end, with Shamrock Rovers winning 2-1.
A stellar performance from the home side saw Alan Murphy’s side neutralise the Rovers attacking threat for much of the game and for a large portion of the game it looked like they would, at the very least, hold out to go to a replay.
The hot favourites going into the game just managed to sneak the win in the end to the dismay of the home side and the home fans, who gave the Galway players a standing ovation as they left the field.
Murphy was quick to pay tribute to his players after the game.
“I’m so proud of my players tonight,” he said.
“That’s a Shamrock Rovers side with international players, full time athletes who don’t work, against nearly a full squad of amateurs.
"That squad of amateurs went out and executed a plan to nearly knock Rovers out of the cup, and not just by a fluke.
“If you really analyse and really assess what we did tonight there was real calculation, real pride, execution and application. Those lads will have learned so much from tonight.”
Murphy felt they could have come away with the win and progressed in the competition but he continued to hail the work of his players and backroom staff to bring the game to Rovers on Friday night, despite the vast difference in resources.
“Phenomenal by my players and phenomenal by my staff to be able to compete at this level with what we have, I don’t think any other team will put it up to Rovers like that and push them so close.
“I thought they were toothless at times. I thought we were comfortable and I thought we were the ones who could get another goal at times.
“All those players, the positions that they took up tonight, recovery runs and pressure on the ball, that’s not just by chance that’s real hard work and dedication since the draw was made and I can’t be any prouder.”
At the final whistle many of Galway’s players fell to the ground, visibly crestfallen at the manner of the victory and how close they had come to securing a first Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final place since 2008, and a first win over Shamrock Rovers since 2006.
“It’s so tough on those players, they’ve given so many days this week in preparation and analysis.
“They have to put in so much more than the average player because of the fact that they don’t get paid for it, they’re doing it for the love of the game they’re doing it to do well and progress and maybe to get paid in the future.
“I defy anyone to look at tonight and say those budgets are that far apart, it’s mind blowing what those players did tonight.”
