Henderson thrilled with his team’s effort
REACTION
Daire Walsh
COBH RAMBLERS and Shelbourne were inseparable yesterday evening at Tolka Park, where a goal from veteran striker Philip Hughes cancelled out a first-half opener by Ramblers winger Stephen Kenny.
Cobh are still searching for their first league win on the road in 2015, but considering how limited their resources were for this contest, manager Stephen Henderson was thrilled with the result.
“We had two players on the bench, because we had a raft of injuries, and we had a raft of players going off to America. Then we have a lot of players doing their Leaving Cert, so the eleven that started, they emptied the tanks for us basically, and they ran themselves into the ground,” Henderson remarked.
“The first half, I thought we were excellent. I thought we passed the ball really well. We played it through midfield, we went down the sides and we created some good chances. Coming up to Tolka Park against a very good Shelbourne team, picking up a 1-1 draw. Delighted.”
Shels had significantly increased the pressure on the Cobh goal prior to Hughes’ equaliser, but although momentum appeared to be with the hosts at this point, Henderson never felt that they would allow their opponents to dictate the terms of the play.
“We didn’t feel threatened, I didn’t feel threatened. I felt threatened the last few minutes, but I didn’t feel threatened when that was happening, because there was a good shape to us. We felt comfortable, their shots were from long-range. Stephen Hickey caught most of them, so that will tell you.”
Cobh will now have a two-week break before their next game, and considering how many players are currently out of action, Henderson is hoping to welcome a number of new faces into his squad.
“It’s huge for us that we get a break, and we try to get a few players in, because we’ve lost 10 players.
“We’re actually dipping into last year’s U19 squad. Young Danny Barry came on tonight. Coming on against huge men like that, he did really well, but he shouldn’t be coming on at that stage.”
“Obviously we’re going to have to get one or two experienced players in and help that group, because that group has been brilliant for the last ten weeks I’ve been here anyway,” Henderson added.