Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke felt that his side merited a point against Cork City despite requiring an 88 minute penalty from Declan O’Brien to secure a 1-1 draw.
“Well you have to say that it is a point gained given the circumstances. I felt that we dominated the game; I can only imagine what the stats were on possession as we controlled and kept the ball throughout the ninety minutes. What was disappointing was that we failed to test Mark McNulty in the Cork goal, we had three good chances in the first half in particular Graham Rusk hitting the bar. We know even at this stage of the season that if you don’t take your chances when you’re in the ascendancy you will be punished.”
For the fourth time in six games this season, Drogheda conceded the first goal as a spectacular effort from Shane Duggan found the corner of the net.
“The Cork goal was most certainly preventable. I thought Gabriel Sava should have saved it. Perhaps it was a lack of concentration as we were under no pressure but he should have been on his toes and ready for anything that Cork threw at us. I wouldn’t say it was our best performance but we played good football at times that merited at least a point.”
United were awarded a penalty in the dying stages of the game as a Peter Hynes flick was handled by John Dunleavy in the box.
“Obviously Cork feel aggrieved with the decision but it is hard to know nowadays what a handball is and what isn’t. From our point of view, we thought it was a penalty. On Thursday night in Dundalk we felt that the penalty incident started outside the box but it was given against us. I try not to get too concerned about these decisions as they tend to even themselves out over the season.”
Declan O’Brien picked up the ball and scored despite missing from twelve yards against both Bray Wanderers and Limerick.
“I have every confidence in Fabio. He took nine or ten penalties last season and scored them all. He may have missed a couple this season but he is still our first choice taker.”
United will now go searching for their first away win in the league this season as they travel to Tallaght where they won the Setanta Sports Cup last year against the same opponents.
“Rovers away on Friday should be an excellent game. Two sides who try to play football the right way and obviously a big change in personnel from the side they had last season. Following that match we have Wayside Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup on Tuesday before away to Shels the Friday after that. It is crazy that the players have such a hectic schedule so early in the season and I think it is something that the FAI needs to look at.”
