College Corinthians manager Gary Hackett happy to be underdogs in FAI Intermediate Cup clash with Ringmahon Rangers
College Corinthians manager Gary Hackett is happy for his team to wear the tag of underdogs ahead of Saturday’s FAI Intermediate Cup final date with Ringmahon Rangers at Turner’s Cross (1pm), but he remains confident that his team can overcome the odds and land the trophy for the first time in the club’s history.
“We are the underdogs, and I’m fine with that because we are under no pressure,” Hackett admitted.
“Nobody gives us a chance, but we are a confident group and we will go into the game in a relaxed environment and we will be looking to prove people wrong.”
Corinthians sealed their place in Saturday’s final after a penalty shootout win over fellow Munster Senior League side Douglas Hall after a 2-2 draw, and they will go into the game on the back of an important league win over the Moneygourney side last weekend.
In between their two meetings with the Hall however, their league form hasn’t been so good — two defeats and two draws — but Hackett feels his squad is in a good place to face Ringmahon.
“Since the semi-final we’ve lost two games in the league — to St Mary’s and Midleton — and we drew with Cobh Wanderers and Ringmahon.
“With all due respect to St Mary’s, who won the game fair and square and were the better team on the night, I felt there was an element of self preservation within the group which was hugely frustrating.
“We drew a close game with Ringmahon and I think it was a fair result, and I felt we were better team against Midleton even though we lost, so while it seems like we had hit a rocky patch, apart from the Mary’s game which was an outlier, I felt we played well.”
Hackett says the team had to park any thoughts of the final since their semi-final win over Douglas Hall, and it was only this week that they could really focus on Saturday’s game.”
“Locally, we are at the wrong end of the table, so every game at the moment has been a cup final. Ten days ago our main focus was on last weekend’s league game against Douglas Hall, not on the final.
“We couldn’t really start to enjoy the build-up to the final until last Monday, but we’re all looking forward to it now.
“It’s a huge occasion for the club and it could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for most of team, so you have to enjoy it while you can because come next Monday it’s back to focusing on other things.”
Hackett explained that the club has been making a big push to get the schoolboys and schoolgirls to row in behind the team all games and training have been cancelled on Saturday which he fells will add to the occasion.
“It should be a great day with big support for both teams. There will be a new name on the trophy and from our point of view it’s a reminder that we can play a small part in making history.
“We will be representing lots of Corinthians players and members, present and past.”
And back to the underdogs tag?
“Look, Ringmahon are a very good team, but there has been very little between us in games the past.
“They are odds on favourites and we won’t have a full squad available after a few lads picked up injuries in training during the week.
"But then again every team suffers with those, so there is no point in moaning about it because ultimately no one else cares and why should they.
“It’s my problem and no one else’s and I don’t want to make it sound like an excuse. That’s why you have a squad and not just 11 players for the season.
"The group we have fit are more than capable and able to win a game of football.”
“We have players who have played on big occasions like this and we have young players who have no fear and I’m hoping that lack of fear combined with big-game experience will work for us on the day, but it’s also important that we are our collective best because if we are not we will leave Turner’s Cross empty-handed.”
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