ED MCGINTY HAD an eventful debut in the EFL Cup last night.
The former Ireland U21 goalkeeper, who joined Oxford United from Sligo Rovers in July, was named to start against Swansea City at the Kassam Stadium.
And he proved to be the hero – saving from Swans winger Matty Sorinola after the game had gone to a penalty shootout.
However, McGinty’s first-half performance was a shaky one and he picked up a yellow card for handling outside the box on seven minutes. Jay Fulton then found the bottom corner from the resulting free-kick.
He was also beaten by Liam Cullen as the Us went in 2-0 down at half-time, and manager Karl Robinson spoke to him at the break.
“I think I tried too hard because it was my debut and it was one of the worst halves of football I remember playing!” McGinty said. “But these things happen and you just have to get through it.
“I should have done better for both their goals but there‘s no point sulking, I knew I just had to get better in the second half.
The gaffer had words with me and that was the right thing to do. He was looking for a reaction. He could have taken it easy on me but I don’t need that.
“I am always honest about my own performance and I needed the gaffer to be honest with me as well. That made me feel better and I went out there determined to do well in the second half.”
That conversation did the trick and McGinty grew into the game as Swansea pulled two goals back.
When the shootout arrived, the 23-year-old kept out Sorinola and Cameron Brannagan then dispatched the final spot-kick to hand the home side a 5-3 win.
“When it went to penalties I definitely knew I was going to save at least one,” he added. “I managed to do that and then Cameron delivered, as he always does.
“It was a great reaction from us after going 2-0 down to a side from the division above. In the second half the way we pressed and put the pressure on was really good and we move on and will look forward to the next round.”
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O Shea is diving all over the place when anyone comes near him and then he is complaining when a free is given against him when he effectively clothes lines a Galway player.
@Finnster: You could say he is hanging them out to dry
@Finnster: must be cold in Galway. They have the blanket well and truly out.
Mayo have been poor in attack. OShea keeping in the game. Galway can’t handle him.
@Finnster: pathetic from Galway at the end with the game won. OShea really has the patience of a saint. And he gets booked as well. Laughable.
@Desheen: agreed. Comer is turning into a very good player but he needs to stop the mouthing while it was pathetic by Paul conroy at the end. Galway still need to do it on a big day and in croker though, potentially a good team.
@Paul Mallon: I think Mayo still need to do it on big day in croker too
@thomas: yea fair point. Hopefully Galway really push on as the gaa need as many teams as possible competing come August time.
@Finnster: are you for real . We’re you at the game ? Mayo can’t take the beating. Galway are no angels but Mayo were filthy today.
@Finnster: and dey didnt beat de dubs in the final…
@Finnster: Mayo were drawn into it alright and are rightly no angles. I was referring to that specific incident. Mayo lost the heads also after that. Galway deserves the win but that was hard to watch. Fair play to them great start to d1.
It will be nice and spicy come the championship. How bad was the last ten minutes? Only heard it on the radio.sounded like a few cheap shots but I am glad Galway are showing some serious spine. Our football team was too nice for a long time.
Safe to say O’Connors league campaign hasent got off to the best of starts
@Sam Walsh: He’s good but he’s a liability, about time he was shown a red card
@Sam Walsh: hes no diarmud connolly.
@John Boyle: Maybe so but I wouldent be too worried if I was a Mayo fan. Still a top class side.
Delighted to see a ref brave enough to send that tramp O’Connor off. He’s always at it. But but but Mayo aren’t dirty of course.
@Ciara Baines: agreed , he was the same last year in the championship against Galway and now O Shea is at it. Galway slowly but surely coming good
@Ciara Baines: mayo are pure dorty . Dey were throwin gps’s at the dubs in the final last year