'Ed should save it' - Bradley bemoans McGinty's costly tumble 

Cork City's injury-time winner was a highlight reel moment for Darragh Crowley but Shams keeper Ed McGinty would prefer not to see it again

LOOK AWAY NOW: Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper Ed McGinty after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers at Turner's Cross in Cork. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Stephen Bradley has explained that goalkeeper Ed McGinty slipped for Cork City’s stunning stoppage-time equaliser against Shamrock Rovers.

Darragh Crowley’s 30-yard thunderbolt travelled straight down the middle of the goal, but the Hoops’ stopper took a tumble as he sought a clear view.

“Ed should save it. It's the centre of the goal, there's no deflection,” Bradley said after Friday night's 1-1 draw at Turner's Cross. “He was just trying to move to see it. As he moved, he slipped and ended up on his knees. But look, Ed's been excellent for us, he's made some brilliant saves, he's been top class.

“At times it's going to happen, but he hits it and hits it well.” 

Bradley was equally frustrated by how easily Crowley received the ball in space straight from Benny Couto’s throw-in. He felt it came from Rovers losing track of their game plan.

“It was really, really poor. When we made the changes, the subs came on, we lost all the detail in what we were doing and set plays. That's where the goal comes from," Bradley said.

“Our setup from the throw-in was completely wrong. Throw-in, straight into the middle of the pitch, and it's a good strike.” 

The Rovers manager maintained that the game should’ve been put to bed long before the full-back’s 91st-minute equaliser.

“The first half of the game should be three- or four-nil," he said.  “The game should be over at half-time. We’d four or five opportunities to kill the game. We didn't do that and when you don't do that, the other team will always have hope and always be in the game. To be fair to Cork, they kept going and they got the rewards with the goal at the end.

“So, frustrated that we didn't finish the game off when we had the opportunities, and then really frustrated with the goal we gave away.” 

It means Rovers left Turner’s Cross for the fourth consecutive time without a win. Bradley didn’t feel they took City for granted, producing a dominant first-half performance and eventually breaking through with Danny Grant’s 69th-minute goal.

“In the first half, some of our play was really high level. We moved them with a real tempo. When the space was there, we penetrated.

“At half-time, we’d five clear chances that we should score. The defender saves one on the line. It hits his head to be fair to him. Graham Burke has one one-on-one.

“We had so many coming across the box. Josh (Honohan), Rory (Gaffney) has one, back post and he should tap in.

“We had so many opportunities in the first half that the game should be over. It should be done. We're usually really ruthless in those situations. We weren't and when you're not, we don't deserve to win the game.” Rovers lined up without injured centre-back Lee Grace.

“Lee picked up a knock against Drogheda in the Cup. He’ll miss Monday as well,” Bradley revealed.

“Hopefully, it's not too bad. But if Lee's out, he's injured. It's sore because he's a tough man.” 

Next up is another trip south to face Waterford at the RSC.

“We've watched a lot of Waterford because Conan Noonan is there, who’s our player,” Bradley said.

“We know what they're about. I've seen Pádraig (Amond) scored again. He's a handful, scores goals. He's very similar to (Seani) Maguire in terms of really clever in what he does. So we know Monday's a tough game again.

“It's really important to understand what happened. We should have won the game, all of that, but you have to understand the reasons why we've given up three points, and then move on quickly.”