AUDIO - DEVLIN PRAISES CABINTEELY PLAYERS AFTER COBH WIN

Cabinteely manager Pat Devlin spoke with SSE Airtricity League reporter Peter Branigan after Saturday's 4-1 win over Cobh at Stradbrook.

"I'm disappointed we're not top!" That was initial reaction of Cabinteely manager Pat Devlin after his side's 4-1 win over Cobh on Saturday evening, a result which sees the South Dublin club rise up to 3rd place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division table. Joe Doyle's third goal of the season gave Devlin's side a 1-0 half-time lead, and they never really looked back.

"It was a very good result. Overall we'd have to be happy with how things are going. Getting the goal gave us a little lift, and knocked them back slightly."

A fine solo run was rewarded with a goal for Karl Byrne inside the opening ten minutes of the second-period. And though Chris McCarthy's penalty brought the visitors back into the game almost immediately, Cabo were not to be denied.

Conor Keely scored their third goal from a corner in the 76th minute, and Marty Waters added a fourth late on.

"Conor Keely's header was fantastic, and then Marty put the icing on the cake."

But Devlin said the final score slightly flattered his side.

"2-0 I'd have been happy with. I think they pushed everyone forward, and I think we just caught them. That sometimes happens.

"But it's a great result for us, and that's all I'm interested in; three points. The only thing we were a little bit sorry about was giving away one. We're heading in the right direction, and the lads are great - long may it last."

On a week where football was put into perspective by the death of Derry City Captain Ryan McBride, Devlin paid his own tribute to the former Candystripes' defender.

"We were up at the funeral, myself and Eddie Wallace, representing Cabinteely. Derry is a magnificent city with magnificent people, and it's a major loss."

"Ryan's (loss), at a very young age, means it's a very difficult and traumatic time for everyone up there. If there's anything to be said, the send off they gave him was out of this world, and fully deserved."

This was published on the Official SSE Airtricity League website.