It’s not over until it’s over
Sunday, 26th Mar 2023Robbie Mahon thrilled to start at Montrose
It is a good quality to be able to tolerate something that takes a long time. So says the interpretation of the proverb ‘patience is a virtue’ and having sat 12 times on the bench as an unused substitute this season Robbie Mahon has truly demonstrated great patience. Saturday’s start against Montrose was just the third start for the Dubliner who joined on loan from Motherwell in September last year.
Robbie grabbed the opportunity to show what he could do with a first class performance in which his attacking style really excited the travelling support. He made a surging run that set up the second Dunfermline goal and gave his all before being forced off midway through the second half after taking a knock. His view was modestly realistic and understanding:-
“It is quite easy to be patient in a team like this. There is great competition especially in my position. I really cannot complain when I’m not playing because the lads who are playing are scoring goals, they are getting assists and winning games. It is all about that.
“It was good to get a start playing in the two behind Lewis McCann. I have been working hard all week as have the other lads so to get a start is good and three points is more important.
“I think everyone played well and that is very important coming to a place like Montrose. It is not easy to get three points and we did it on Saturday.”
Dunfermline went ahead in 22 minutes when Lewis McCann headed home from a Joe Chalmers cross and as well as happy to get that all important first goal, Robbie was pleased for the goalscorer:-
“It was good to see Lewis score. He works hard every day in training and to get a goal is very important for him. I’m delighted for him.”
The second Pars goal came as a result of a super run by the Irishman from deep inside his own half to midway inside the Montrose half. He evaded challenges and tugs before setting up McCann 16 yards out. The striker’s shot came back off the crossbar for Craig Wighton to head home. Robbie distanced himself from the acclaim:-
“I wouldn’t want to say that I made the goal, he is the one who put it in the back of the net. That’s the important bit.”
While pleasing, the 2-0 half time lead was one to be wary of. Robbie revealed the interval thoughts:-
“We were happy with the way that we had played but we knew that it wasn’t over. There are two halves in a game of football, we knew that we had a job to do and that they would come out fighting. They did to be fair and so it was just to be ready for it because they were going to throw everything at us.”
Even making it three nil from the penalty spot ten minutes into the second half didn’t mean victory was sealed. Robbie continued:-
“Coming here it is never over until it’s over. They will battle for ninety minutes and they did that and credit to them. It did help getting another goal, it settled the nerves a little bit.”
With three starts and eight appearances the 19 year old has now started more times for Dunfermline than for his previous clubs, Bohemians and Motherwell. Unfortunately Robbie suffered a knock that caused him to come off in 64 minutes but he reckoned that is nothing that will keep him out next week, his only negative was having to watch the remainder of the match back on the bench:-
“It was a lack of fitness to be fair, just a cramp but I also got a kick. I need to work on being a bit more fit. Even after I came off I was more nervous than when I was on the pitch. It was outside my control. The lads were fighting to the very last minute, jumping for headers that they probably shouldn’t be making but they were making. That’s credit to to the lads.”
Robbie was fit to join in the end of match celebrations with the Pars supporters, he added:-
“It was brilliant to celebrate with the fans. They come in their numbers every week and this isn’t a close place to come so for them to travel in their numbers and show us their support, it helps an awful lot. We are grateful for that and I hope they know that.”
Some fans appeared to be convinced that the league is won but Robbie disagreed:-
“It is game by game. It is not over until it’s over again like a ninety minute game. We are just focussing on week in, week out, trying to win after a win. That’s all we can do”
Capped three times for the Republic of Ireland U17s in 2019 Robbie might align himself with the old Irish proverb - “Here’s health to your enemies’ enemies!”
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