Kelleher is over moon with victory
REACTION
There were jubilant scenes in Tolka Park on Sunday afternoon, as Cork Youth Leagues enjoyed a 3-1 extra-time triumph over DDSL in the FAI Umbro Youth Inter League Cup Final, writes DAIRE WALSH.
Having lost out in the previous year’s decider, Cork supremo Frank Kelleher was delighted that his side went one better this time round, and he reserved particular praise for the way that his side always seems to find a way to get over the line.
“We’re ecstatic really. We were in this final last year, and we were beaten. So, we were determined to come back this year, and go one better.
“I’ve so many people to thank. I have a fantastic backroom staff, there was five of them with me all year. The work that they did behind the scenes was just superb, and we have a great bunch of players. We had huge commitment for training all year,” Kelleher stated.
“They don’t panic when they go behind, they haven’t all year. We were behind against Limerick, we were behind against Inishowen in the quarter-final. They do just what they have to do to get over the line.
“I’m very proud of all of them. There’s a great bond between all the lads. Although they play their football in Cork with different clubs, there’s a great bond between them.”
The game itself was an often pulsating affair, with plenty of end to end action. Kelleher was quick to acknowledge DDSL’s part in this, and felt that they contributed to an entertaining game of football.
“I think to DDSL, I have to commend them on their performance today, and Rory (Kerr, the manager) and his staff as well. I’ve been on the sideline three years in a row against Rory now, and he’s a lovely man.
“His staff are lovely people, and I think both teams went for it today.
“Which is what you need to do in a final.”
There are many aspects that either manager can point to as regards to where the game was won and lost, but perhaps the most significant aspect was the way that Cork came out in extra-time firing on all cylinders. This is something that Kelleher readily acknowledges, especially given the recent history they have with extra-time.
“We have a history of it, because against Inishowen in the quarter-final, we took the game to Inishowen at the start of extra-time. There is a very high level of fitness in this squad.
“They have a natural fitness level. We knew that if we could get a goal that we probably would pinch it because we knew that DDSL were probably going to push on to try and get the equaliser, and we might catch them on the counter, and we did for the third goal.”