Hero of the hour Colin McCabe came up trumps for his side saving in a nervy penalty shoot-out to help his side progress in the EA Sports Cup. The Bohs stopper saved brilliantly low to his left from Paul Doyle’s spot kick, and in turn, allowed Eoghan
Hero of the hour Colin McCabe came up trumps for his side saving in a nervy penalty shoot-out to help his side progress in the EA Sports Cup.
The Bohs stopper saved brilliantly low to his left from Paul Doyle’s spot kick, and in turn, allowed Eoghan Stokes to hammer home the winner as the Gypsies progresses 5-3 on penalties.
The game itself finished 2-2 with Bohs coming from two down to rescue the situation and giving his thoughts on the game as a whole, the ex-Celtic man went on to say, “I thought it was a good game, the fans got 120 minutes of very good football. Have to say UCD, in the first half, were deservedly 2 nil up. We just never got going in, we gave them too much space and respect.
“In the second half though, we upped the tempo and started to show our class. We kept the pressure on and the boys got their goals, and I thought even in extra time we’d nick one. But there were some class finishes from the penalties and delighted to be in the next round.”
The Ballinagh native made two outstanding saves in the second half as his side chased the equaliser, firstly saving sharply in a one on one situation with Daire O’Connor and soon followed a brave block at the feet of Georgie Kelly inside the area. “Thankfully I made the saves and thankfully the boys did the work at the other end, I think we all felt we could get the third in the second half but wasn’t to be,” he said diplomatically and maybe doing himself a slight injustice.
In the shoot-out itself, Bohs got a huge slice of luck when JJ Lunney’s penalty was initially saved by Conor Kearns, only to see the ball take a wicked spin as it hit the ground and trickle over the line. And the Bohs keeper had slight hint of sympathy for his opposite number.
“I was just watching it spinning and spinning and hoping it would get over the line. You need a bit of luck here and there in penalty shootouts. And on the day we got the bit of luck. Unfortunately for him, he saved it and it didn’t stay out and fortunately I saved mine and it did stay out and that was the difference in the end.”
The 21-year old went on to discuss the battle for the No.1 spot with Shane Supple, who is widely regarded as one of the top keepers in the country.
“I’m just hoping for as many games in the cup really, and in my head I was thinking that if we’d lost this I would lose my game time but thankfully were into the next round! I just hope to keep developing and put pressure on Shane. Look, Shane is the number one and the vice captain and deservedly so. He was unbelievable last year and started this season the same aswell, so if I can keep doing well in these games and put pressure on its all I can do,” he said honestly.
