Castleford Tigers boss Daryl Powell hails Paul McShane following Challenge Cup win over Salford Red Devils
Tigers beat Salford Red Devils 19-18 in a dramatic quarter-final at Emerald Headingley, a month after an extra time win over Hull KR in the previous round.
Coach Powell’s side hit back from 6-0 and 12-6 down to lead 18-12, but Salford scored a converted try on the final play to send the tie into sudden death.
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Hide AdSalford had the first opportunity, but McShane charged down Kevin Brown’s attempted drop goal and snatched possession to set up O’Brien’s winner.
Powell said: “There was a lot going on in that game.
“It was always going to be a tough, close game with the conditions the way they were.
“Salford defended really well and we had to work so hard with two sin-binnings.
“I thought we did really well to battle through some difficult periods and that play from Paul McShane was pure class.”
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Hide AdTigers were briefly reduced to 11 players in the final stages after O’Brien and Liam Watts were sin-binned following separate incidents.
“Being down to 12 and then 11, that’s very difficult, being able to defend against a team with the ability of Salford.
“Kevin Brown really worked hard to put us under pressure, he was really challenging and [Tui] Lolohea was a real threat with his running game.
“It was massive for us to keep them out when we were down to 12, I thought it was an immense effort.”
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Hide AdTigers were drawn against Warrington Wolves, the club Powell will join at the end of this season, in the semi-finals, to be played on June 5.
Powell said: "I thought that before the game.
"Obviously it's a draw so you don't really know, but I had a feeling that would happen.
"It is an interesting game, they are going pretty well at the moment, they have only lost to us and we play them two weeks before [the semi-final] so it will be an interesting period for us."
Tiger forward Grant Millington suffered a knee injury which Powell said will keep him out of their next game, against Hull KR.