We didn't do enough in the first half - Fanad boss Lynch on FAI Cup exit

It was a tough one for Fanad United boss Arthur Lynch to take as his side bowed out of the FAI Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Leicester Celtic in Dublin. 

Despite a much-improved second-half display, it just wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit.

Speaking after the match, Lynch praised the character shown after the break. “I thought for the second half, we did everything we could to get a result,” he said. 

“The Leicester keeper, to be fair to him, was unbelievable; he made one or two top-end saves that really made the difference.”

The damage, however, was largely done in the opening 45 minutes, with the second Leicester goal proving decisive. “We probably didn’t do enough in the first half. The second goal came at a bad time, and that’s what cost us,” he admitted. “But in the second half, the team dug in. We had a few half chances – just couldn’t get it over the line.”

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Asked whether external factors may have played a part in the slow start, the manager pointed to the conditions. “The pitch is really small – barely legal size – and on astro turf it makes a huge difference. It’s tight, there’s not much space to be had, and that makes it hard to settle into the game.”

Reflecting on the overall season, there was still a note of pride. “It’s been a fantastic journey this year. We’ll reflect on it properly in time, but we’re not going to dwell on it today. That’s football – we’ll take it on the chin and move on.”

He ended with a word of thanks: “We’ve been looked after really well down here. Best of luck to Leicester Celtic  in the next round.”