ERVIN: WE CARRIED 10 PASSENGERS

CAPTAIN Jim Ervin says Ballymena United paid a heavy price for not turning up as the Sky Blues relinquished their hold on the Betmclean League Cup.

The Braidmen, bidding to retain the trophy after lifting it for the first time ever last season, disappointed their travelling support with a below par display.

And straight talking Ervin, right, admitted David Jeffrey’s men carried at least 10 passengers as they fell to a frustrating 3-1 defeat at the National Stadium.

He said: “We let ourselves down a bucket load – we were poor from start to finish and didn’t perform whatsoever.

“You can’t afford to carry passengers in a final and we had about 10 and I include myself in that. I said to the boys after the game, I didn’t feel there was a period of the game we were on top.

“The early goal maybe settled Dungannon’s nerves a little bit, but we were beaten by the better team. They fully deserved it.”

United boss David Jeffrey said: “We were missing a number of players, but on the day Dungannon were the better side. They moved the ball quicker and were more incisive.

“I’ve heard people say it’s because Dungannon wanted it more. That’s piffle. My players were busting their gut, but they didn’t produce what they’re capable of.

“It’s frustrating that we didn’t play to our potential and on the day Dungannon were the superior side, so congratulations to them.

“Rodney Mcaree is a good footballing man and as bitterly disappointed as we are at not being victorious, it is somewhat lightened by the fact it is Rodney and Dungannon.”