‘We can compete with them next year’

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Filippo Giovagnoli felt that winning the FAI Cup was important for Dundalk to show that they are still a formidable team and that they would fight for honors again in 2021.

The Lilywhites endured tough league defense this season, losing their title to Shamrock Rovers and undergoing a change of direction midway through the season, and the new man in charge believes the victory at Lansdowne Road was vital to preventing Shamrock Rovers from completing the game. double, which would have increased their confidence for next year’s campaign.

Dundalk rallied from a 1-0 deficit to finally win this year’s masterpiece 4-2, with the game going into overtime for the fifth time in six years.

Two David McMillan goals in two minutes turned the game around and the Oriel Park team kept going despite the Rovers dominating much of the game up to that point.

And the Hoops showed their strength to counter-attack immediately when Roberto Lopes headed home in the 74th minute to take the game into overtime.

Talks about Dundalk’s fatigue coming into the game due to his participation in the Europa League in recent weeks were quickly dismissed during the 30 minutes of overtime when it was the County Louth team that looked more energetic of the two.

The Rovers had enough chances to win the game at all times, however it was the Lilywhites who proved the most clinical with McMillan finishing all three chances with poise.

“It is very important because you also want to show that Dundalk is there, the team is there. It was a short season and a short league and the cup has the same value as the league,” said Giovagnoli.

“You want to show that you are still on top with Shamrock and that you can fight them in the future. If they also won the cup it would be a big problem because they would gain more confidence and feel unbeatable, which is” no.

“We think we can compete with them next year.”

On a personal level, Giovagnoli spoke about the challenges he has faced since joining the League of Ireland and is looking forward to returning home to Italy for a visit once his campaign ends with Thursday’s home clash against Arsenal.

“It means a lot for all the sacrifices that we, Giuseppe and I, have made in the last three months,” said Giovagnoli, also speaking about assistant coach Rossi.

“When you get into an environment where they are skeptical you have to prove yourself, that you have to be at that level, and I think we have shown it with Europe and by winning this trophy.

“We are going to continue working hard for this club to win more trophies, develop players and strengthen this club.”

And the coach paid tribute to his players, whose happiness is more important than the trophy in their eyes, while highlighting hat-trick hero McMillan, whom he compared to former supreme poacher Filippo Inzaghi.

“It’s a really good feeling, but the best feeling is when I see the players happy. When they are happy, I am happy too. Seeing them so happy after working so hard. That is more important than a trophy.”

“[David] He’s an incredible player and an incredible man. ”

Rovers coach Stephen Bradley felt his team played well during the final, however he regretted his team’s missed opportunities, which he believes cost the Hoops their first league and cup double since. 1987, having already secured this year’s SSE Airtricity Premier. Title of the division.

“I think we played very well,” Bradley said.

“They had little spells in the game, but we didn’t take our chances and if you don’t do it in a cup final against a decent team, it can hurt you again.

“We had enough chances to win it comfortably and we didn’t.”



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