Shane Barnes - I am ready to step up and hopefully I can stay injury free and keep playing well

Andrew Dempsey reports from Stradbrook Road

Cabinteely and First Division top scorer Shane Barnes is remaining focused as the Green and Whites maintained their three-point lead at the top of the table.

Barnes netted in the 75^th minute for Pat Devlin’s side who struggled for large parts against Cobh Ramblers on Friday evening.

“I was delighted (to score) because it was a tough game,” Barnes told extratime.com.

 “Cobh were very good in the first-half and Mick (Kelly) kept us in the game with some top saves.

“It was a good move by us and I was lucky to be in the right place again to put it away.”

The result sees Cabinteely stay unbeaten in this season’s First Division – with 16 points collected already from a possible 18.  

“Confidence is really high because we work really hard in training,” the IT Carlow student added.

 “Our work-rate was unbelievable and there were players coming for those injured who had not played in a while. We can only keep working hard.

“When I got my chance last season I played well, but it was just hard to break in when Rob Manley was in such good form. I’m ready to step up and hopefully I can stay injury free and keep playing well.”

However, next up for Cabinteely is a trip to face second placed Longford Town on Monday evening:

“Longford are a good side and I’m looking forward to playing on a nice pitch in a good stadium down there,” the forward finished.

“They play a bit of football so it’s going to be a really good game, I’m looking forward to it.”