Deasy looking forward to Greystones rematch on grass
MSL SOCCER
Daire Walsh
FOLLOWING his side’s stalemate with Greystones United in the FAI Intermediate Cup last Saturday, Cobh Wanderers manager Michael Deasy was thrilled to still be reckoning for a final spot in the competition.
Shane Geasley and Ian Stapleton had excellent chances for Cobh during a tense second half at Woodlands, but with Greystones also offering a threat in the final-third, Deasy was pleased to set-up a rematch with the Wicklow men at Old Church Park.
“It’s a very, very tough place to come. Greystones on their astropitch, and they’re a good side, a very compact side. We knew it would be tough and difficult to break them down and, to be fair they had one or two half-chances also,” Deasy remarked.
“They could have scored and put us under pressure to chase a goal, but we’re extremely happy with the result. We’re still in the Intermediate Cup. We’ll be ready next week for them, back home on our own grass pitch.”
Deasy felt the astroturf afforded Greystones a significant advantage. In his view, Intermediate Cup semi-finals should always be played on grass, and believes next week’s game will have a different dimension to it.
“I can’t understand how an Intermediate Cup semi-final is played on an astropitch. At this level, it should be on grass. Obviously, it suits Greystones massively, playing at home on the astro. They know the nuances of the pitch, with the wind that’s up here. To me, they were big favourites today to come through the game with their astropitch, but next week is a different kettle of fish for us.”
While several players in the Cobh starting line-up have League of Ireland experience, Greystones attacker Gary Dempsey was the most recognisable face on display in this penultimate round clash.
Deasy acknowledged that they needed to keep a close eye on the former Waterford United, Bray Wanderers and St Patrick’s Athletic star, but with Conor Meade and Kyle Downing set to return from suspension, he is hoping they can push forward on their home turf next weekend.
“Gary Dempsey is a top, top player. He has been for years and years, and we studied him a lot in the lead-up to the game. We watched all his clips on YouTube about him, and we knew how good he was.
“We have our captain Conor Meade, and our left-full Kyle Downing to come back next week. They were both suspended for today’s game. That’s huge. Our captain, our main striker to come back next week, and drive us forward and hopefully get us over the line,” said Deasy.