Shock cup win dedicated to bereaved Pars duo

Published on Thursday 19 March 2009 09:22

DUNFERMLINE boss Jim McIntyre dedicated his side's shock Homecoming Scottish Cup win over Aberdeen to defender Greg Shields and director of football Jim Leishman, who have both lost family members recently.

Shields missed the Pars' penalty shoot-out victory over the Dons following the death of his father yesterday morning, while Leishman has only recently returned to his role at the club following the death of his wife Mary last month.

McIntyre paid tribute to the pair after his side defeated the Dons 4-2 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes.

"I told the players before the game to go and get yourselves in a semi-final because you have got a team-mate who is hurting like hell at the moment and going through a torrid time," he said.

"And that win was for Jim Leishman as well, who has been magnificent with me since I came to the club.

"He has just come back after his troubles and he was in tears after the game. That result is for those two."

McIntyre revealed the win is the highlight of his short managerial career to date.

"I have only been a manager for 15 months so this has got to be the highlight so far," he said. "I won the cup as a player at Kilmarnock and, unless I win it again as a manager, I won't top that.

"But it is not about me, it is about the players and the club as a whole.

"It is great to come up to Aberdeen and turn them over. Now we have a semi-final against Falkirk to look forward to."

Aberdeen boss Jimmy Calderwood admitted after the game qualifying for Europe would not make up for this latest Scottish Cup heartbreak.

"Even getting into Europe wouldn't soften the blow, to be honest," he said. "We just didn't play well enough on the night.

"I don't think it was a case of the players not trying enough. They did but we just didn't perform like we can."