Boss happy with comeback as ’Stute win thrilling tie

Kee felt the Waterside men deservedly booked their place in the Coca/Cola Intermediate Cup fifth round.

“It was a hard enough game and we dug the win out,” stated Kee.

“We scored early, then they equalised and then they put us under a bit of pressure, but we just maybe weren’t at ourselves and weren’t playing to our maximum, so we asked the boys for a wee bit more in the second half.

“But they scored again to go in front and then we knew it was going to be a real test of character after that, but in fairness (Stephen) O’Flynn was super.”

The ’Stute gaffer conceded not for the first time this season that his side had opportunities and he was thankful the ex-Derry City striker was playing.

“In fairness when the chances fell to O’Flynn he buried them,” added Kee.

“I think he had maybe five chances and scored three goals, which is impressive.

“The thing about him is that he is proven at this level, in fact he is proven at Premier Division level in the League of Ireland, so at this time of the season you need people who are proven at our level.”

Kee admits he’s gutted he didn’t have the Cork man a few years ago.

“The only down side about him is that he’s 30 plus and he still has to work on his fitness.

“But if you are taking in a young striker at times, you aren’t guaranteed of the success, but O’Flynn has had success and he has scored goals at different clubs which he has been at.

“His first goal was a good opportunists, he hit it early; his second goal was in a key time in the game when we needed to get back into it, because we were 2-1 down and his third goal was a well drilled shot, which came after a good move.

“He’s definitely got the x-factor and the icy determination, what you need when you are in a game and chasing games.”

Kee was also full of praise to Crumlin, who he knew going into the tie, was always going to give his side a game.

“In fairness to them, they were what I expected, they are amateur league champions and the enthusiasm and great team ethic.

“They never lay down and they were a very committed group and I could see why they are a successful team because they have a big desire to play for their club.

“But I thought we matched that very well and in the end the quality players that we have like (Darren) McCauley, (Aaron) Walsh, (Michael) McCrudden, O’Flynn and (Darren) McFadden, particularly in the second half all did well.

“Darren wasn’t getting much change out of the centre-half in the first half, but he improved after the break and he had a great shot, which was cleared off the line late on and that would have meant we won 4-2.

“So overall it was a good day at the office and it was a good hard fought win for us.”