He can joke about it. But Luke Clucas knows he scored the vital equaliser that earned Cabinteely a hard-earned point on Friday to stay in the First Division play-off reckoning. The striker chest controlled in the 92nd minute then angled a superb vol
He can joke about it. But Luke Clucas knows he scored the vital equaliser that earned Cabinteely a hard-earned point on Friday to stay in the First Division play-off reckoning.
The striker chest controlled in the 92nd minute then angled a superb volley in to secure a 2-2 draw with Athlone Town at Lissywollen.
But the ground announcer credited Rob Manley with the score.
The Division’s top marksman had earlier put the visitors 1-0 up with his 12th goal of the season.
Ironically, the same thing happened last April in the second round of the EA Sports Cup against Bohemians at Dalymount Park when the Bray native put Cabinteely ahead. But Manley was named as finding the net.
“He tries to take them all – doesn’t he,” joked Clucas of Manley being announced as the scorer.
“He just can’t stop scoring. Fair play to him. But this one is mine – no doubt about it. He didn’t get the goal against Bohs. He’s not getting this one too.”
The score was the 20-year-old’s first in the First Division in just over a year – having ironically notched a brace against Athlone at Stradbrook in June 2018.
“I was delighted to get my first league goal and get off the mark. I was just happy to help out the team and get a vital point,” said the front man.
He continued, “The lads work on certain aspects week-in, week-out in training. Being in the right place at the right time. It paid off this time.”
Having netted three times in the Leinster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup for the White and Greens so far in the 2019 campaign, Clucas is hoping there is more goals in his locker after the summer break.
“Hopefully it’s the start of some good things to come. I want to get more goals. Rob and (Kieran) Marty (Waters) have chipped in so far. We’re in with a shout of the play-offs, and still in with a chance of promotion. So, it’s still all to play for.”
While some of his team-mates were checking into Dublin Airport to get some sunshine during the break, the forward revealed, “Not for me. It’s hard work as always. I’ll be on the training pitch this week.”
