More injury agony for Ronnie as Ports win
PORTADOWN manager Ronnie McFall must be sick of the sight of New Grosvenor.
Even though his team left with three crucial Carling Premiership points, McFall’s injury-hit squad was dealt another savage blow when Matthew Paget was carried off with a serious knee problem midway through the second half.
The young midfielder buckled under a challenge in the exact same spot Tim Mouncey sustained a career-threatening cruciate knee injury back in November.
With Mouncey, Wesley Boyle, Richard Lecky and Keith O’Hara all out long term, McFall admits his squad is now down to the bare bones.
“Paget has damaged knee ligaments – he’ll be out for some time,” said McFall.
“It’s a massive blow as we also lost Shane McCabe this week – he prefers to concentrate on his GAA career.
“There is no quick fix to the injury problems – they are all long term. Mouncey and Lecky are both awaiting surgery.”
At least McFall had the consolation of keeping the pressure on Linfield at the top of the table.
Giant defender Gary Breen headed the Ports into lead on 22 minutes after goalkeeper Billy Brennan flapped hopelessly at a Jamie Tomelty corner kick.
And, young full-back Andrew Burns – brother of Linfield start Aaron – ensured the Ports would be leaving with the points when his low cross was deflected into his own net by Philip Simpson.
“This is a difficult place to play,” added McFall. “There is never a great atmosphere. It was important the players were fully motivated.
“We were never troubled over the 90 minutes. We bided our time because we knew the game would open up at some stage. Our second goal was probably a bit fortunate, but once it went it, the game was over.”
McFall believes the title race will go to the wire, adding: “Every team is capable the other on the day. It will be tight right to the end of the season.
“It’s certainly not a two or three horse race between Linfield and ourselves. Cliftonville and Coleraine are both well in the frame.
“We now face a massive game against Linfield a Shamrock Park in our next league outing in a few weeks time. But we’ll first focus on our Setanta Cup game against Bohemian.”
Lisburn Distillery manager John Cunningham was happy with his team’s commitment and effort, but admitted they created little over the 90 minutes.
“They (Portadown) are organised at the back – they don’t concede many goals,” he said. “We simply didn’t look like scoring. We didn’t do enough in the final third of the pitch. I can’t remember us troubling their keeper, which was disappointing."
p Distillery and Derry City will turn back the clock in next week’s Setanta Cup first round game at New Grosvenor.
It’s 41 years since the teams last met in the 1971 Irish Cup final at Windsor Park. Martin O’Neill, the current Sunderland manager, scored twice with Jim Savage netting the other in the Whites’ 3-0 victory.
“We are trying to contact as many players from both teams who played in that game,” said Distillery chairman Jim Greer.
“We want to bring them along to next week’s match as guests – we intend to make it a carnival occasion.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
