Rangers manager Paul O'Brien satisfied with display
It's all eyes on the ball from Edward Byrne from MLR and Eoghan Dowling from Bagenalstown Gaels.
THERE is not a lot to say after a win such as this. Rangers manager, Paul O’Brien, didn’t need to choose his words carefully but he paused for a couple of seconds when asked what were his thoughts on the game.
“We worked hard from the start. If you work hard you will be in the game. We are able to do a small bit of hurling when you are working hard,” he suggested.
“24 points. You would like a goal mixed in there somewhere but we scored more than we did the first day out. We got the two league points. That is what we were after coming here today.”
At this stage, with a semi-final place secured, the season moves on. Rangers face a Naomh Eoin side next week who have to win.
“With the nature of the championship, that result qualifies us for the semi-final. St Mullins are through. The focus is going from week to week. When there is no rest between games, our focus now turns to Myshall.”
In contrast to his opposite number, Eddie Scally, the Bagenalstown Gaels, manager has a lot to worry about. Last week he talked about starting well. The players obviously listened and were in touch in the first quarter. Then they came undone.
“We were not at it in the first half or the second half. Mount Leinster Rangers were up for it. They have had a tricky start to the year so they came and showed a lot more intent and heart. That is what you are up against when you are playing the county champions. You can’t be off your game,” emphasised Scally, who was dismayed to see how the final ten minutes unfolded which saw them finish with fourteen players.
“Disappointing. I didn’t think it was a dirty game at all. Maybe he (Mark McDonald) came in cold and got caught a little bit. He reacted. I can’t have any complaints about the red card but it is just unfortunate. I didn’t think the game warranted it. I didn’t think there was a dirty stroke.”
Now, if Bagenalstown don’t win against St Mullins next week they have to hope Rangers beat Naomh Eoin.
“It is wide open. Mount Leinster Rangers will want to go and win next week and top the group. St Mullins will want to top the group. It is open for everybody. We will see where we are next weekend,” reasoned the Bagenalstown manager.
