THE CELEBRATIONS AT the end of it all showed just what victory at Finn Park meant to Crumlin United.
Greg Moorhouse’s 49th minute goal last night saw the just-crowned Intermediate Cup champions Crumlin overcome Premier Division Finn Harps.
The away dressing room at Finn Park was bouncing afterwards as Crumlin toasted a famous victory, a week on from their 5-0 win over Letterkenny Rovers in the Intermediate Cup final at Aviva Stadium.
What made the win all the more remarkable was that Crumlin arrived in Ballybofey not only seven days on from their Aviva hour of glory, but 48 hours after a gruelling League game.
Just 48 hours earlier, Crumlin defeated Home Farm Belgrove at Whitehall thanks to two injury time goals.
[adrotate group=”50″]“We came up with the bare 11 and two second team players,” Crumlin boss Martin Loughran said.
“We were carrying knocks, but to come here to win is great for the club.
“It’s been hard. We played on Thursday night and we just about got through it.
[adrotate group=”43″]“This was a huge occasion for us, coming to a League of Ireland ground.
“It gives the players that aim that they can play at a higher level.
“To come and test yourself against opposition from a higher grade is great. We’re delighted to win.
“We try to instill self-belief into them and we came here to try and win. We had a go. We usually only play one up front, but we had a bit of a go here and played two up tonight.”
Striker Moorhouse netted a hat-trick against Letterkenny and popped up again with the winner in Ballybofey as Crumlin became the first non-League team to knock top-flight opponents out of the FAI Cup since 2000.
Back then, Bluebell and Bagor dumped Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United out and Crumlin had Moorehouse and goalkeeper Shane Supple, a former Ipswich Town player, to thank for this latest giant killing.
Loughran said: “Greg has popped up with the goods in the big games.
[adrotate group=”62″]“Shane Supple is the best goalkeeper in the country. We’re delighted to have him. We got him by chance, but he’s been excellent and was the difference between winning and not winning.”
Listen to the full interview below …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/martin-loughran-after-crumlin-united-defeat-finn-harps
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