McGarry says Palatine have more work to do

Eddie McGarry, the joint manager of Palatine, alongside Paud O’Dwyer couldn’t hide his joy after a victory against opponents who have broken their hearts in the past. He did suggest the eventual winners rode their luck towards the end.

“Great to get the win. Always good to get the win. We probably used some of our ‘Get out of Jail” free cards but we won so we will take that,” the former Palatine senior player admitted.

“We played well in the first half. Probably we tensed up a bit in the second half so we will have to learn from that,” he said.

Ciaran Moran has been the pulse of Palatine football for many years now. He was on hand to score the only goal of the game just before half-time. It was a crucial strike.

“Goals in any of these championship games are vital because things are so tight. They had chances but we took our chance and at the end of the day, that was the difference,” said McGarry.

Yet his side only scored two points in the second half. That had to worry him?

“Of course, I am concerned. That is far from ideal. Again, it is something we will have to look at. In fairness to Éire Óg they upped it in the second half and really came at us hard. They made it difficult for us and put us under pressure.

"We made life difficult for them. That is football. These games against Éire Óg are always tight. That is great for football. These tight games. The same against Rathvilly last week. There was only a kick of a ball in it. There is only a kick of a ball between all eight teams in this championship.” 

With one game left in the group stages against Clonmore and wins against the big two McGarry was not celebrating.

“I don’t see a trophy in the dressing room. You don’t get a trophy for it. It is only a step along the way. If you had told me we would win our first two games of the championship, I would have been ecstatic, of course I would.

Is there work to be done? 

"Of course there is.”