Crowley still wearing heart on his sleeve

AS a player Paul Crowley had three spells with Drogheda United and also lined out for seven other clubs and he always played with his heart on his sleeve.

Well, it was exactly the same at DIFE on Sunday, except that the 2012 EA Sports Cup-winning Drogheda captain patrols the sidelines these days as part of the Newfoundwell management team alongside Danny Gartland.

For the entire 90 minutes Crowley barked instructions at his players non-stop and he will surely manage at League of Ireland level in the future, but for now it’s all about Newfoundwell and perhaps leading them to a major trophy or two.

Reacting to their sixth-round FAI Junior Cup win, he said: ‘We’re delighted. We went and had a look at them [Ayrfield] last week and worked on a few bits during the week. We went 1-0 down, but it was a great response again. I said to them [at half-time] if we could keep our shape and do what we were doing I felt we could win 3 or 4-1.

‘They were physical and they could play at times, but we felt fitness would let them down. We’ve a super-fit bunch and lads are looking after themselves and we were able to see the game out comfortably in the end.

‘Credit to the players. Week in, week out they are producing and they’ve been brilliant.’

One of the big talking points was John Kermode’s dinked spot kick and Crowley agreed that it was just as well that his captain converted the penalty.

‘He lives two doors away from me and I tell you, I would’ve have knocked on his door at some stage tonight because I wouldn’t have been sleeping!

‘He was as cool as you like and it takes some nerve to do it.’

And on his passionate performance on the sideline, Crowley said: ‘If it’s sloppy we let them know. Everybody make mistakes and if lads are trying to do the right things it’s fine and there’s no problem. When things get sloppy, it needs to be nailed.

‘I suppose the way I played is the way I coach from the sides.’