Pat Devlin: 'I'm very disappointed that we didn't get any support from the FAI in this situation'

Cabinteely first-team boss Pat Devlin criticised the FAI for their lack of help regarding a raft of Covid-19 cases hitting his squad during the past fortnight.

Cabo were forced to postpone, and then forfeit their fixture at home to Galway United as a result.

Prior to Friday evening’s defeat away to UCD – Devlin’s starting XI, and squad, issued a statement saying they were felt they were ‘punished unfairly’ after being told by the HSE to stand down before the game against Galway following the outbreak.

“It’s been a dreadful two weeks for us,” Devlin told extratime.com. “I’m glad the game is behind us and we're back on track because the last two weeks has been traumatic for everybody. It has been horrendous.

"I would have to say that I am very disappointed that we didn't get any support from the FAI in this situation. We should have got more support. Our club is a big club, and we have to be seen to do the right thing.

“If the government gives you an instruction not to play the game, you don’t play the game.”

The former Bray Wanderers boss also said that he was proud of the stand made by his players before the game along with their handling of a difficult two weeks.

“Even though we were beaten 4-1 I am very proud of how they handled the whole situation,” he said.

“One player was irresponsible in his behaviour at the start of this – and that’s not blaming somebody. That is what happened.

“We had three players who got Covid, so their health is much more important than anything else. We have two others who were close contacts, and they were taken out of the loop. So that was five players.



“It has been difficult for us and everyone because there’s still a mental thing of are we going to get this or not. Are we in the right place or not and you? You fear for the volunteers and even the officials. We might roar and shout at these people, but we have great respect for them.

“At the end of the day I’m very disappointed that we didn’t get a little more help from the FAI.

“To be treated in the fashion that we were treated and forced into the corner that we were forced into is not good for anyone in the league. Don’t mind Cabinteely, it’s not good for anyone.

“It’s not in the best interest of the league or in the best interest of football. I would actually say someone should come along and investigate it and/or all the other clubs should stand up and be counted because this could be them next week.

“If they don’t, they could end up having Covid and avoiding telling the proper people about Covid. Don’t mess around with Covid because it was deadly with us for two weeks.”

    About Andrew Dempsey

    View Full Profile