Maher proud in defeat

June 10, 2024

London goalkeeper Noel Maher and Eoin Walsh dejected ©INPHO/James Crombie

London manager Michael Maher felt his side deserved to get something from their Tailteann Cup preliminary quarter-final against Antrim.

Antrim needed a late goal from Ruairí McCann to settle proceedings in Corrigan Park after the Exiles had given them a huge scare.

"We've been in these knockout games the last three years and come out the wrong side. Listen, the reality is we had 25 players today and every one of them went to the well,” a crestfallen Maher told RTÉ.

"I thought we were unbelievable, really, really good. We gave away a couple of poor goals. Down the other end we created five, six good goal scoring chances. I thought we cut Antrim open at times and that's a really good Antrim team.

“After a disappointing game against Limerick last week, I think we were probably looked at as cannon fodder coming in today but I don’t think we were anything like that. I don't think a four-point scoreline tells the tale of that game.

"It was a last-minute goal that gave them that kind of breathing space but up to that point we were. The game was there for the taking. We didn't quite get it but I'm really proud of the boys."


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