We dominated from start to finish - Cockhill boss Gavin Cullen

USL champions Cockhill Celtic have qualified for their first ever FAI Intermediate Cup semi-final after they easily saw off the challenge of Drumcondra FC on Sunday. 

Gavin Cullen took his side to the AUL Complex in Dublin and guided his side to a clinical 3-0 win.  Lee McColgan fired Cockhill in front from the penalty spot on 47 minutes while further goals from Luke Rudden and Adam McLaughlin sealed the win.

Cockhill will now face Ringmahon Rangers of Cork this coming weekend in the competition’s last four. 

“The scoreline suggests a comprehensive win and that’s just what it was,” Cullen said. “We dominated from the first moment to the last. I don’t think Drumcondra created any chances at all. We had something like 14 scoring opportunities over the course of the 90 minutes.

“All in all, it was a very professional performance from the lads.” 

Despite dominating the opening half, Cockhill still had to settle for a 0-0 scoreline going in at the midpoint. The boss admits he and his players were a little frustrated with that fact but, he explained, no one was panicking. 

I felt the way we were going in the first half, we created enough opportunities so it was disappointing that it was still 0-0. We had the breeze and the aim was to take advantage of that. 

“Their ‘keeper also made a number of good saves. So we were probably a little frustrated also at the break. The way we were playing, our shape and set up, it still felt like we’d create more chances in the second period. 

“Once we got the first goal we were able to settle, relax. Garbhan Friel played a good ball into Luke Rudden and going around the ‘keeper, he was brought down. It was a pretty obvious penalty. 

“Lee McColgan dispatched it brilliantly. The second followed soon enough then. Again, there was really good build up play between Cory McBride and Garbhan. Cory got to the line and squared it across. And Luke again was the man finishing it off. 

“That was a big moment and once we got that second I felt the game was over. We seen it out quite comfortably in the end”.

Cockhill’s reward for their impressive last eight win is another away trip - this time to the far outpost of Ringmahon Rangers way down in Cork. Still, Cullen says his players are excited to be looking ahead to that challenge. 

On that trek, he said: “We’re well used to it - it is what it is. We knew before the Drumcondra game that the draw was made. The carrot dangling in front of us was another away game, this time Cork. It’s going to be a huge task. 

“These things don’t come around too often. It’s our first time ever in an FAI Intermediate Cup semi final. We have to make the most of it. This is a huge opportunity”.

Cullen and his staff will no doubt occupy the next number of days attempting to source some information on their opponents. From what he’s gathered so far, he knows this will be a significant step up in class. 

“No, we don’t have that much. They have some ex League of Ireland players and lads involved in the Irish amatuer ranks.  They are coming from a very strong and competitive league. It’s really exciting. 

“I don’t think we have any injuries to worry about either. We’d a few concerns going into the weekend with the likes of Christy Fildara, Jason Breslin and Oisin McColgan all with knocks. But thankfully we didn’t have to use them in Drumcondra. 

“Adam McCarron had a small issue and we had to take him off. But again, that was just precautionary. All the lads should be reporting for training well this week and the preparations for the weekend have already started”.