Manulla looking to put things right
By Stuart Tynan
SO near, yet so far could be an apt description of the year 2019 for Manulla FC.
The league campaign had many bright spots, beating all of Westport United, Ballina Town and Castlebar Celtic at home, becoming the first side to beat Castlebar Celtic in the league last season.
But five defeats on the road, as well as dropping points against Ballyglass and relegated Straide & Foxford United at home, put any title aspirations aside for another year.
They also reached both the T.P. Brennan Connaught Cup final to Corrib Rangers as well as the Calor Gas Super Cup final to Ballina Town last year but fell to heartbreaking defeats in both, the former due to a injury-time winner against the Galway outfit and the latter in extra time in Milebush.
Early exits from this years Connaught Cup (to Sligo outfit Carbury in extra time) and Super Cup (to Glenhest Rovers) mean it is all about the league for Manulla now. They have also lost both Jesse Devers and Ruairi Henry to Sligo Rovers but have been bolstered by the additions of David McCracken, Paul Moran and Chris Moore. With several players to return from GAA commitments, if they can get off to a good start in the league, they could be there or thereabouts come the second half of the season.
Now under the leadership of Roger Clarke this season, having taken over the reins from Danny O'Leary, he aims to take the boys in blue that step further to glory.
“We had a good season there last year. I suppose it's about being more consistent going forward and the lads believing in themselves and getting the results.”
“I'd be quietly confident this season we would be there or thereabouts. It's about being consistent. We have a great squad and a lot of young lads coming through. We'll learn from the two finals from last year. The lads know what it is like to lose but they know what it's like to win. It's important we develop that winning mentality and push on.”
On the road
As mentioned, they have shown on one-off occasions last year they can beat anyone on they day – also evidenced by their 4-0 thrashing of Castlebar Celtic in last year's Connaught Cup semi-final – and midfielder Chris Maughan admits his side need to pick up more results on the road to achieve the consistency required if they wish to challenge the teams above them for any title aspirations.
“We beat all the big teams at home. It's just away against those sides that seems to be the problem. Whether it was down to a lack of confidence, I'm not sure. It's hard to put my finger on it. If we can swing on that, we can definitely climb the table.”