Cork City were crowned champions of Ireland for the first time since 2005 on Tuesday night as a 0-0 draw with Derry City was enough to see them over the line with games to spare.
John Caulfield's have struggled for goal since the departure of Sean Maguire, so it was no surprise that one of their outstanding defenders was named man of the match after the defensive stalemate, but Alan Bennett deserves special praise for his interview with RTE upon accepting the award.
After the tragic death of club captain Ryan McBride in March, Derry City rallied around each other managed to finish in 4th place and Bennett was eager to heap praise on everyone involved at the club for doing something he was not sure he would be able to do himself.
.@CorkCityfc's Alan Bennett takes a moment out of the celebrations to pay tribute to the @Derrycityfc players pic.twitter.com/GgBS8pxNEC
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 17, 2017
Just a point on Derry, like.
Them as a club, at the start of the season they lost their captain Ryan McBride, a team-mate, a player, it's incredible, an absolute credit to them that they got together and put together a really good season, that's them qualified for Europe now.
I don't think I would have been able to do it, you know? To lose a friend... So that's a credit to them, and congratulations to them.
Wow. That is nothing but class from Bennett.
Seconds after winning a title that was a long time coming, you could forgive anyone for simply celebrating their achievements and enjoying the night, but to take time out to praise the opponent for their response to such a deeply upsetting loss is a tremendous show of character.
Congratulations to Cork City, and fair play to Ryan Bennett for being a genuinely excellent human being.
