Ó hAnnáin: Copa knockouts "within our grasp"
The Warriors prepare for the all-important match against Juznia to continue their Romellean rollercoaster
3 July 2019, 21:00 / Aonġus Ó Grialais
The team celebrates after a stunning 2-1 upset victory against Qal'eh.
The 43 year-old, who has led the team since 2015, was speaking ahead of the Warriors' final match against Juznia at the Primorski Stadium in Balchik on Thursday. It follows an extraordinary circle of events which saw the team hammered by reigning champions Navack 5-0, yet bouncing back to stun the formidable favourites from Qal'eh 2-1. As it stands, the Mardin Isles are in third place in Group E with 3 points, level with Qal'eh although with the latter heading in with a significant advantage on goal difference. The outcome of both final matches will be crucial in determining who advances and who will be flying home early.
"We were ruled as down and out after our first match," Ó hAnnáin commented. "Our aim was to defend as much as possible, to try and pull at least a point from that game. We weren't very successful, but I still believed in the boys". It seemed like he may have been the only one at that stage to believe in his own leadership skills, let alone the team. Following the disastrous showing, Mardic fans vented their anger. The hashtag "#ÓhAnnáinAmaċ", literally translated as 'Ó hAnnáin out", became a trending topic across social media. Reports surfaced in the days that followed of similar sentiments in the boardroom of the CPIM, the Mardic football association. Ó hAnnáin acknowledged that there was a lot of pressure being placed upon him. "I knew we had to prove them wrong, and we turned the tables."
Indeed they did. Changes were made to the Starting XI, most notably swapping out Oḋrán Ó Nearaiġ for 18 year-old wonder kid Aoḋan Ó Ruairc, who had captained the Mardic team to the quarter-finals of the U17 Copa last year. The defense was also altered, with Aoḋ Mac Ḋonnċa subbed for 23 year-old Seán Mac Íosóg. These changes, in part, helped spur on the team to take control of the game against Qal'eh. The Warriors dominated the first half, confidently keeping possession and putting pressure on the Sifhari side. A Mardic corner produced the first goal thanks to a header from Cormac Mac Conmara, followed nineteen minutes later by a smashing header from Ruaiḋrí Ó Coille, assisted by captain Art Ó Dála. The boys in white and green kept up the pace, feeling energized by the healthy lead. An 82nd minute concession to Gankhaki may have been the start of a Qalehi comeback, but it wasn't to be. As the final whistle sounded, the Warriors celebrated a thrilling, crucial victory which kept their Copa hopes alive.
Looking ahead to their final bout against Juznia on Thursday, Ó hAnnáin dismissed talk that his team should expect a victory. "The Juznians are a very strong team, one only needs to look at how they played against Navack", he said. He noted the similarities between the two sides' first scorelines, and how it would be a competitive match. "Both of our teams have been put against the mightiest of teams. On our first matches, we were punctured. In our second matches, we held up in our own ways. I think it will be a fascinating match, but we can go out there and win it. I have faith in my lads".
It won't just be a victory against the white and blue which would secure the Isles a place in the final 16. Qal'eh's decisive match against Navack takes place on Monday, from which the outcome will determine the fate of the Warriors. A win against Juznia and a Qalehi loss or draw would see the Mardin Isles advance. Two sets of draws would see Qal'eh advance, thanks to their upper hand in goal difference. However, Ó hAnnáin insists his team is not concerned about possibilities, but rather on the so-called "Battle of Balchik", as dubbed by Mardic media. "We are not focusing on the maybes of what happens in the other game. We are focused on winning our game, nothing else."
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