Laying Claim

After Anthony O’Connor headed his side in front in only the second minute of the game from a Bobby Reid free kick, the Greens’ lead was doubled in the 63rd minute from another set piece – this time from Reid’s delivery from a corner. 

 

Nodding on from the near post, Carl McHugh made contact with the cross and wheeled away in celebration as the ball found the far corner but O’Connor, arriving at the far post, also came away with his arm raised. 

After plenty of conjecture and watching back of replays of the goal, the jury is certainly still out but, in the mind of O’Connor, there is no question that he bagged the second brace of his professional career. 

 

“Don’t you dare say that [it was McHugh’s goal]! He knows it, as well,” said Anthony, after the game. 

 

“Carl’s flicked it on and then I’ve just put it in with my head. Obviously Carl hasn’t seen it – he’s just flicked it on and then he turns round and sees it in the back of the net, so he thinks he scored it. 

 

“Peter [Hartley] was behind me and Pete said if I didn’t flick it in, he would’ve flicked it in, so Pete’s already said ‘It’s Ant’s goal; I was stood behind him so don’t lie about it!’

 

“I’ve scored two now and it takes me to three for the season, so I’m happy with that.

 

“I scored two before for the Republic of Ireland in the European Under-19 Championships. I scored two then and I’ve scored two today. I was buzzing, and after I scored the two the manager was saying ‘stay back’ but I wanted to go up for a hat-trick!”