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MISTIMED: Josh Honohan is fouled by Harry Nevin, who was then sent off. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile.
Josh Honohan was the one on the receiving end of Harry Nevin’s high tackle which resulted in the red card that changed the course of FAI Cup Final, but the Shamrock Rovers defender believes the Cork City man’s challenge was just “mistimed” rather than “malicious.”
Relegated City had been frustrating the champions until Nevin’s red mist shortly before the interval helped swing the showpiece occasion, which was ultimately settled by two second half goals from Rory Gaffney, in Rovers’ favour.
But speaking shortly after full-time, the former City star defended his fellow Cork native although he did admit it had a significant impact on the decider.
“Look, he’s caught me high,” began Honohan.
“I wouldn’t know him personally, but I know a bit of him, and I know enough that it’s not malicious or he hasn’t gone out to hurt me.
“I think he’s just mistimed it. He’s just caught me under the shin-guard, and he hasn’t done it on purpose.
“He’s probably just mistimed it. It did have an impact on the game, but I suppose those are the margins it comes down to, especially, it’s a one-off game, anything can happen, and the decision went that way.
“I think people looked at the table and they were kind of bigging it up like they were underdogs, and we were the overwhelming favourites which is not the case when it comes to a fight.
“And we had Thursday night to come back from and focus on this game, and we had to respect them.
“We know they’re a good team. I know the table says one thing, but they’ve had good results since Ger Nash came in, we knew that they’d be up for this, and they started well.
“Ed (McGinty) made some good saves and that’s what Ed does, that’s why he’s one of the best keepers in the league, the best.
“And obviously the red card… we had some chances in the first half and in the second half, I thought we were the much better team.”
Honohan, who helped the Rebel Army win the First Division title in 2022 before signing for the Hoops following their relegation in November 2023, insisted this was the reason why he swapped City for Rovers; to win a league and cup double.
But now that has been achieved, the 24-year-old left the door open to seeking a new challenge elsewhere with Lincoln City, who had a bid believed to have been in the region of €625,000 rejected by Rovers in September, likely to return to the table.
“I’m not sure. We’ll see what the future holds,” added Honohan.
“I don’t think anyone knows. I think football is kind of that kind of sport where it can change so quickly, you know. I’m just buzzing to get over the line today.
“I’ve always said since I’ve come here, since I kicked the ball here, I want to become the best player that I can be and that’s always my goal. Football is an unpredictable game. We just have to see what the story is.
“This is why you come to this club, to be competing for stuff like that and to do the double.
“We’ve had a great year; we still have a bit to go but I think that’s top of the charts. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve had in my career, delighted and relieved.”
The Carrigaline native will now enjoy a few days off before Rovers begin preparations for their Conference League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk at Tallaght Stadium on November 27.
He may even get the chance to head to a warmer climate although had it not been for a niggling injury, he could have been linking up with the Republic of Ireland squad for their games against Portugal and Hungary this week.
“It’s just a bit of a knock. I’ve had it for a while. I’m struggling, to be honest,” added Honohan, who was in the Ireland squad for their friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg in June and again for their World Cup qualifer against Armenia in September in place of the injured Sammie Szmodics.
“I’ve been struggling with this for probably the last two or three months and it’s just a case of managing it. It’s just one of those things, it’s obviously frustrating.
“You never want to be injured. I think Heimir (Hallgrimsson) has been brilliant with that. I’m struggling and he knows that, so obviously he’s got a great squad of players to pick from and that’s what he’s done.
“We’ve a couple of days off, so I’ll be, weirdly enough, I’ll be coming back to Cork for a couple of days and just relaxing and, to be honest, just looking forward to just forgetting about football altogether.
“I might try and catch a bit of sun. A couple of lads are going away on holiday, so I might book a late flight and get a bit of sun. Need to get a bit of a tan and get away from this weather!
“We’re back in then and the attention will return to Shakhtar. We’ve another three big games left to go.”
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