Bray Wanderers Head of Football Pat Devlin has offered his apologies to supporters after the 6-0 opening day home defeat to Cork City.
The Seagulls supremo conceded the loss was ‘embarrassing’ which had left him ‘shocked’ after the result on Friday at the Carlisle Grounds.
He also took full responsibility for the reversal against the Leesiders in the first outing of the 2022 First Division campaign.
“Devastated – for everybody connected with the club, and the supporters. I just have to apologise. It was quite embarrassing.”
The club’s Head of Football continued “It was shocking. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t know what happened. I know we gave away four easy goals – very, very quickly. We can make excuses. There are no excuses. Or hiding places, It was shocking. And I would like to apologise to everybody.”
Trailing 1-0 at the break, the home side conceded four times in a shell shocked six-minute spell either side of the hour mark.
“It was unbelievable. I can’t find words to describe it. I’ve been around a long, long time. I’ve never seen such a pathetic performance in my whole life. We came out and looked like we could score the equaliser. Then their second goal was shocking from our point of view – absolutely shocking. After that, we fell apart. It leaves me a little bit worried” Devlin remarked.
“You can do so many different things. We had five players out that can come back into the team. We had two suspended (Kevin Knight and Conor Clifford). We’re not going to panic at this stage. But it was shocking. That’s all I can say – shocking. Words can’t describe it. I can’t put my finger on it. I don’t know what to say about it.”
He added “I just feel sorry to anybody who came along to support the club. And the people in the background who’ve done magnificent work over the past couple of months. For everybody connected – from North Wicklow right into South Dublin, Cabinteely to Greystones. It was just embarrassing. Embarrassing for everybody. I’ll take full responsibility for it. I’ve big shoulders. I’ve been through stuff like this before. But not like that. That was humiliating.”
Devlin went on to stress “We can make all the excuses in the world. There is no excuse. It’s just not acceptable.”