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Paul Sheerin | reaction to semi-final win

05 April 2018
Author AFC Media Team

 

A delighted Dons U20 coach spoke to RedTV after the game:

“I am very pleased for the boys as a group of players.

“They have worked hard as a group to become a really close-knit unit and you can see that day to day in the dressing room.

“They are a great bunch.

“They have worked hard and it is good for them to be recognised with a cup final. Yes, it would be brilliant to go on and win it and that will be our aim now, but just to get there, the first time since 2003 any AFC youth side has managed to do that.

“So I am really pleased for them as a group.

“The player getting sent off put a dampener on the game a bit, certainly from there point of view. It will be a lot of what ifs for them. Even with ten men they made us work for the win.

“I thought we were pretty professional in our work without being overly attractive on the eye. When you have Bruce up top and as clinical as he is with the chances that fall to him, you are always going to have a chance of being comfortable in the game and it turned out to be that in the end.

“Bruce was certainly not happy when I took him off and was also disgruntled with the fact he did not get to take the penalty. He was quite grumpy! I quite like that in a striker. It shows he wants more.

05/04/18 SFA YOUTH CUP SEMI-FINAL
RUGBY PARK- KILMARNOCK
Aberdeen U20’s manager Paul Sheerin

“In the early stages of the competition we had Connor Barron involved against Edusport Academy, so right through the competition there has been a change in the squad and it always takes a group to do well in this cup, not just the eleven on the pitch.

“It was great to have Frank and Harlain back. Both have other things to focus on with their loan teams, Frank trying to help Morton get promoted and Harlain trying to keep Albion Rovers in their division, but it was good to get them involved.

“It was harsh on Chris and Joe who have been great for us in recent weeks, but we felt we needed to set up in a certain way to get the job done and we have managed to do that.

“It is a first cup final for these boys, so it is a case of how they handle it. Hopefully they go and enjoy the occasion. Previous games (against Celtic or Hibs) won’t count for much on the day.

“Hopefully we can get over the final hurdle and lift the trophy.

“I always say it is about developing players at this age but there are bigger things that help you as well. Going out there in final, yes it won’t be 40 or 50,000, but it will still be an occasion to go and play in a stadium steeped in history, so it will be a great experience for the boys.

“As I said before the game, the first time I played at Hampden I was 29. Playing at the national stadium in a cup final at such a young age will give the players a real taste for it

“For them to go and enjoy it will be brilliant. It will also be great for myself to go and enjoy it. I am really looking forward to the final.

“We now have some big games in the league to focus on but have the cup final at the end of the season to look forward to.”

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