A Sky Sports commentator has managed to squeeze in an unexpected League Of Ireland reference during their coverage of Luton's win over Coventry in their premier league promotion playoff game, as history repeats itself for Luke McNally.
Luton and Coventry battled it out for a place in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon with Ireland's Luke McNally lining out for Coventry during their biggest game of the season. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be for McNally and Coventry, who lost out to Luton 5-6 on penalties after neither side could break a 1-1 deadlock with extra time.
WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE! 🏆#COVLUT | #COYH pic.twitter.com/gFgR6Ulc3N
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 27, 2023
While McNally mightn't have scored today, the Sky Sports crew showed some excellent footballing knowledge, throwing it back to Luke McNally's League of Ireland heroics during Drogheda's 2019 campaign for promotion to the Premier Division.
The reference came up when McNally just barely missed a header and possible goal chance during the second half of their play-off. Despite McNally missing that one, the Sky Sports team were quick to remind viewers at home just how dangerous the Irishman can be.
Good commentator research! Come on Luke! pic.twitter.com/KR2lHT3BDh
— Conorh (@conh) May 27, 2023
He does have great goal-scoring previous in playoff football.
Back in Ireland during Drogheda against Cabinteely he actually managed a hat-trick in a playoff semi-final.
Impressive stuff from the commentary team, with a little nugget even some Irish fans could be unfamiliar with.
The reference goes to McNally's time lighting up the LOI First Division with Drogheda while on loan from St Patricks Athletic. Luke McNally had formed a fundamental part of Drogheda's team that was seeking promotion to the top tier when he bagged a stunning hat-trick to seal Drogheda's 5-1 defeat of Cabinteely in the playoff semi-final.
Unfortunately for McNally the feeling in Coventry tonight will be one he knows all too well. Despite his semi-final heroics back in 2019 promotion proved a step too far then, just as it did today with Coventry. Drogheda eventually losing by the bare minimum against Finn Harps in that promotion final.
25 October 2019; Luke McNally of Drogheda United with the match ball after scoring a hatrick following the SSE Airtricity League First Division Promotion / Relegation Play-off Series 2nd Leg between Drogheda United and Cabinteely at United Park in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
While there'll be no Premier League football for Coventry next year, Luton whose famous stadium definitely resembles something from the League of Ireland are en route to the top tier of English football.
Today's match effectively ends McNally's loan run at Coventry. With his club Burnley already promoted to the Premier League, it'll be interesting to see what next season has in store for him.
SEE ALSO: Remembering Coventry City's Last Premier League Stint
