A thrilling extra-time victory against Shamrock Rovers in FAI Cup third round is an outcome that St Pat’s Athletic manager Stephen Kenny hopes will give his side momentum as they chase something tangible in the last few weeks of the season.
Coming from two goals down to force extra-time and then to see teenage prospect Sam Rooney fire home the winning goal with aplomb will no doubt please the manager.
“Luke Turner getting that goal back, and then being so influential in that [winning] goal, just tremendous guts from the players,” was Kenny’s immediate reaction to RTÉ Sport afterwards.
All part of the narrative at Richmond Park that also saw Pat’s frontman Aidan Keena level things from the spot, despite Ed McGinty’s best efforts, in the 90th minute.
There also was a downside with injuries to Kian Leavy and Simon Power, though tempered somewhat by the introduction of Rooney and Ryan Sheridan.
“A brilliant victory for us but overshadowed by the serious injuries to Kian Leavy and Simon Power,” Kenny added.
“Our thoughts are with Kian Leavy and Simon Power at the moment. It’s tough for the two of them but then we had the players who came in from our academy – Ryan Sheridan and Sam Rooney – and they both did brilliantly.
“Sam got the winner which was great to see and he and Ryan made a big difference.”
Sam Rooney, right, celebrates with teammate Aidan Keena after scoring the winning goal against at Richmond
For the Pat’s boss beating the team above them in the league and knocking out the holders carries weight.
“Shamrock Rovers are a great team, double winners, but for us it was an important win,” he summarised.
“It gives us momentum. We have an important game in the league on Friday against. We are firmly fixed on that, that will be a tough game.”
Kenny keen to emphasise the one-game-at-a-time approach.
“You have to separate the league and cup. We won at this stage against Shelbourne last year and got beaten in the semi-final (by Cork City). It [today’s win] only gets you into the quarter-finals.
“It’s a great night for the club and for the league to see a 3-2 game like that; first and second in the league playing in the cup like that. A comeback victory, and we needed that.”