Larne defender Tomas Cosgrove described his side’s performance in the 4-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in the UEFA Conference League as “nowhere near good enough”, insisting that the Irish League champions showed their southern counterparts too much respect.
In a no holds barred interview after the Windsor Park showdown, Cosgrove added that Premiership football in Northern Ireland is ‘years behind’ the top tier in the League of Ireland.
Larne were 3-0 down with a third of the match gone and even though Chris Gallagher pulled one back early in the second half, man of the match Graham Burke capitalised on a mistake shortly after allowing Rovers to cruise to victory.
Cosgrove said: “We were nowhere near good enough. I think we showed them far too much respect. We didn’t put it up to them enough. If you show anyone that much respect they are going to pass the ball about and we let them get their confidence.
“It was a slow start from us. I don’t know why. We are normally fast starters. We conceded an early goal that rocked us and it became a very long night, especially that first half.”
On the goals, all of which could have been avoided, Cosgrove added: “That’s why we are really disappointed. There were a lot of harsh words at half-time and at the end of the game and rightly so.
“It’s not like us at all and maybe the occasion got to a few boys. Even on the ball I didn’t think we did enough.
“They were doing tippy-tappy stuff on the sideline. That’s not Irish League football. Put someone over the line if you have to.”
Much was made in the build-up about the comparison between the various leagues.
Cosgrove stated: “You are always going to have that… North v South. I still think the Irish League is a good couple of years behind. Maybe when my little boy is playing in the league it will have been a lot more professional for a longer time and we will have caught up.
“They’ve been professional for a long time (in the League of Ireland) and you can see it, they are physically big and they are really good on the ball. Everyone is comfortable. The more professional teams we get in our league the better the quality will be.”
Larne travel to Portadown in the league on Sunday and Cosgrove says the champions have to bounce back.
“We have another massive game in a few days and you can’t dwell on what happened against Shamrock Rovers,” said the former Cliftonville ace.
“You have to get on with it. This was a poor game from us. Everyone has been praising us but you have to take the criticism when it comes. We are big enough and ugly enough to do that and need to stand up and be counted now.”