Two defeats don’t spell the end of United ambitions

CONCEDING four goals against Cork City on his 22nd birthday wasn’t part of the script for Stephen McGuinness but he insists Drogheda United still have higher aspirations than simply to survive in the top flight.

The highly-rated netminder could do nothing about any of the Cork strikes and indeed he made a few good saves to prevent an even bigger defeat, but he agreed that the Boynesiders have to put that game and the defeat by Bray behind them quickly and concentrate on the busy programme of games that lie ahead.

‘We just have to go away and be up for the next game [against Derry City]. There could be a couple of injuries, but we have a big enough squad and players are well capable of stepping in,’ he insisted.

‘I’ve never been to Buncrana, it’s a new experience and we’re looking forward to that, and we need to get back on track going up there.

‘I don’t think that result makes any difference to our ambitions. Everyone still has a positive attitude and we’ll keep playing the same way and go into every game looking to win.

‘The main thing is to stay in games and clean sheets are going to be very important.’

Asked what would be a realistic prospect for the Drogs this season, McGuinness responded: ‘Galway and Sligo drew and there’s a few teams still a lot behind us.

‘I’d like us to get a top-half finish, and if we could get fourth and qualify for Europe that would be brilliant with the squad we have.

‘We were the first team out of the hat to get relegated - that’s what everyone is saying - and knowing that people have that expectation, there’s no pressure on us.

‘We will take points off most teams.’

The last time McGuinness conceded four in a league match was ironically for Bray against Drogheda in May 2015 - for the record, the goals came from Sean Brennan, Michael Daly, Daryl Kavanagh and Tiarnan Mulvenna, all in the second half - and he couldn’t help but feel aggrieved about the defining moment mid-way through the first half on Friday night.

‘Overall, it was a disappointing game, but you can’t fault the effort of the players when you go down to 10 men, especially against a very physical, welldrilled Cork team,’ he replied.

‘When the last goal went in we were dead on our feet. I don’t think it was a 4-1 game and the scoreline didn’t reflect how we played.

‘They are a very good team and have been for the last few years. They play very direct into Maguire and get lots of shots away.

‘From where I was, Richie [Purdy] went in late - yellow card. Then the red came out and I thought ‘Oh, that is harsh’. His foot wasn’t off the ground and he didn’t go in to hurt him.

‘There’s not a bad bone in Richie’s body and it’s not in his game to go in for a sliding tackle. He was late, that was all, and we were very disappointed and angry with the decision.

‘I know it’s easy to say, but I think it would have made a big difference [to keep 11 men on the pitch] and we would have given them a really good match.’