Swansea pulled off a cup miracle for the ages on Wednesday night as they scored two injury-time goals to topple Premier League side Nottingham Forest at a rain-soaked Liberty Stadium.
After a baptism of fire at the Emirates on Saturday, new Forest boss Ange Postecoglou would have hoped an EFL Cup tie against Championship side Swansea would present a better chance to pick up his first win in the job.
His opposite number, Westmeath’s Alan Sheehan, had other ideas.
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A much-changed Forest side made a fast start, and the visitors were 2-0 up by the break thanks to a brace from Igor Jesus.
However, Swansea were not deterred, and a header from Cameron Burgess with just over 20 minutes to go gave them hope and got the home crowd rocking.
Injury time was to present cinematic drama.
First, the big striker Zan Vipotnik poked home the equaliser in the 93rd minute, before Burgess rifled home a rebound for his second in the 97th minute to complete a most-unlikely comeback.
The celebrations with the home fans in the Liberty Stadium were next level.
Manager Alan Sheehan has overseen a dramatic upturn in form since taking the job in February, and after the game, the Athlone native came out with fighting words about just how far he believes he can bring the club.
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Alan Sheehan had fighting words after dramatic Swansea comeback
Former Ireland U21 international Alan Sheehan initially took over as interim head coach at Swansea in February, after the sacking of Luke Williams. He previously served in the role briefly during 2023-24 after Michael Duff was sacked, having worked as an assistant to both Duff and Williams.
Such was Swansea’s performance level in the second half of last season that Sheehan was appointed permanent head coach in April, and they have made a steady if unspectacular start to this campaign.
After Wednesday’s miracle against Nottingham Forest reignited the hope among Swansea’s fanbase, Sheehan said he was more than willing to entertain their wildest fantasies:
I’m not one to put water on the fire – I’m probably more a guy who puts petrol on it.
I’m not going to dampen what people want to believe because I won’t shy away from it. We want to improve on last year.
We’re building something, I do believe that.
For us to get to the very end in this game, I’m incredibly proud. They deserve that moment, when you’re brave and you go after a team like that with no fear, sometimes you get the rewards.
If Swansea can keep the same spirit all season long as they displayed in their dramatic EFL Cup victory over Premier League opposition, they will harbour hopes of reaching the top flight next season.
Manager Alan Sheehan’s playing career saw him play for 12 English clubs, most notably Nottingham Forest and Luton Town.
Born in Athlone, Sheehan earned five caps for the Ireland U21s but never made a senior appearance for his country.
It is certainly a major success story for the Westmeath man, and Irish football fans will be watching his progress keenly.
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