‘These lads have worked extremely hard’: McCabe

By Gerry Buckley

At the outset of his post-match media duties, Dermot McCabe giggled when he was asked about Kieran Martin’s sensational late two-point equaliser against Roscommon in TEG Cusack Park last Sunday.

“I don’t always want to be talking about the hooter after games,” he stated, before adding:

“Was our last kick-out taken before or after the hooter? I don’t know how referees are going to be able to gauge this.

“The other big one for me is the advantage in that how long is at the ref’s discretion.

“I would have felt that for their first goal the man was nearly fouled in the middle of the field and he ran to basically the ‘D’ to pass the ball.

“On numerous times that happened to us and it was a free out.

“It’s so difficult for referees. The other difficult one is for a ‘mark’, to try and get out of the way when a ‘mark’ is made in the middle of the field.

“There are going to be huge 50-metre advancements.”

When queried on his charges’ poor first half display, the Lake County manager responded: “It might have been a bit of a hangover from being relegated in Newry last weekend.

“Our movement wasn’t there, and our energy that had been there in the previous six games wasn’t there.

“It wouldn’t have been good if that had continued.

“Really, that’s what we just asked for at half-time, and the lads gave us that.

“But we had a great impact from the bench in the second half from Nigel (Harte), Eoghan (McCabe), and Kieran (Martin).

“We kicked five great two-pointers. I’m not even sure what way that wind was blowing, to be honest.

“They left a few scores behind them, as did we. Our turnover count was too high, and some last passes went askew when we had goal chances.

“In fairness, they were asked to try and go for goals today rather than take fisted points."

Looking ahead, the Cavan native concluded: “The lads will get a bit of recovery time this week.

“We’re disappointed to be relegated. I know we’ve had battles and performances, but we still have to win. Those lads in there want to win games. So, it’s been frustrating for them. They have worked extremely hard, but we didn’t get the results that we wanted.

“We have a lot of improvement to do over these next three weeks.

“We have a few lads injured and the championship might be a little early for them.”