DOUBLE TROUBLE

McDermott and Glens set sights on glory

GLENTORAN manager Mick McDermott believes his team is equipped to go on a trophy mission.

The East Belfast high-flyers yesterday coasted into the quarter finals of the Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup by teaching the students of Queen’s University a harsh football lesson at Upper Malone.

Robbie McDaid was the tormentor in chief by bagging a delicious double, sandwiched between goals from Michael O’Connor and Shay McCartan.

The result kept McDermott’s boys on course for a League and Cup double success – they will face Newry City in the next round at the Oval early next month.

“We got the goal early and it settled us down,” said McDermott. “We probably took our foot off the pedal for a spell . . . we got sloppy towards the end of the first half.

“Fair play to Queen’s they wanted to play, but the gulf (between the teams) is now noticeable.

“I’ve always said it takes time to build a team to challenge for trophies,” he added. “You just don’t throw money at it and put the players on the pitch. It takes time to develop that winning mentality, we now had players in the dressing room hungry to do well. They knew how important this cup game was.

“We are not the finished product by any means, that’s why we’ll continue to strengthen the group if we can and when we can.

“The squad is on the right path.. we are in a position we can now challenge.”

O’Connor (below, with McDaid) began the goal rout on 16 minutes, rising high unchallenged to power home a Sean Murray free-kick with the flick of his head.

McDaid then went to work. He headed the second five minutes later, again from a Murray cross, although goalkeeper Declan Brown appeared to lose his footing as the ball trickled over the line.

It was déjà vu three minutes later. Murray the provider, but this time McDaid volleyed home from the edge of the box. McCartan wrapped up a good day’s work on 80 minutes, smashing in an unstoppable 30-yard free kick that left Brown clutching air.

“It was a professional performance,” added McDermott. “We could have scored eight or nine goals. I lost count of how many times we hit the woodwork, but we are in the next round and that was our objective.”

Queen’s University boss Peter Thompson admitted Glentoran set-piece routines were his team’s downfall.

“We were disappointed to conceded three first half goals from set pieces, our players were left wanting,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough ask, they are a good side. “Categorically, the best side won the football game. You’ve got to put things into perspective, they are a full-time football club, buying players for £120,000.

“In contrast we are a team of students, a vast majority of our players at studying, hoping to get their careers sorted out and play football as a hobby.”