SPECIAL BRU MAC

Fallon: Brian’s class act

EMMET Fallon hailed the impact of new manager Brian ‘Bru’ Mccaul after Immaculata shot down Bangor in the Intermediate Cup on Saturday. Summer recruit Gary Mcvicker got the all-important goal, striking in extra-time to send the Mac through to the last 16.

It’s been a strange year for the west Belfast outfit, paralysed by a series of injuries and without a proper manager after Tony Heagney’s successor Joe Graham had to step down just a few weeks into the new campaign. In his absence, the Mac’s senior players more or less managed the team, but Mccaul’s return from a year in Australia solved that problem, with the former Linfield ace stepping into the breach. Having played previously at the Cage, it was a seamless transition for Mccaul, and Fallon (circled) admits his appointment has given the whole place a lift.

“It was a good win,” said the 24-year-old midfielder. “It was well-deserved too, they were probably better in terms of keeping the ball and possession but we had a good shape, the new manager had us set up well and we dug in.

“It was one of those games, there wasn’t loads of chances so whoever got the first goal was going to be important and we got it and went on to get the win. It’s been a bit messy this season but with Bru coming in, he has his own team with him and it just adds a lot of professionalism, having a proper manager on the sideline.

“It’s an easy transition because he knows everyone anyway, everyone respects his opinion, obviously he has played at a high level of football so everyone has bought in.

“It hasn’t taken long at all, straight away there’s been a massive difference, we just look like a new team to be honest.”

Although they were knocked out by Limavady at the weekend – uncharacteristcally, a second cup exit in eight days for the Premier Division champions – Crumlin Star showed the way for the Amateur League by lifting the trophy last season.

So while it may not have featured too highly among talk of targets back in August, Fallon admits emulating the Star at Windsor on May Day is now very much on the radar.

“At the start of the season, we wouldn’t have said it was a target in particular, we were just more focused on other things.

“But after knocking out Bangor, one of the best teams in it, a Championship 2 team and a good Championship 2 team, to put them out on their own ground and get into the last 16, we feel we can beat anyone,” added Fallon.

“There’s no one left in it we would fear, we fancy ourselves against anyone, especially at home, so we want to have a run at it and try and win it.”