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It was a really good win against an in-form St Pat’s team on Friday. What aspects of the performance pleased you the most?

“I thought we were really good in every aspect of our performance. We controlled the game for large parts. Pat’s had a spell in the second half before we scored the second goal but other than that, I thought we controlled it and looked very good in every aspect.”

Johnny Kenny had two great chances later in the game that he’ll be disappointed not to score but more importantly, he takes his goal brilliantly and hopefully he’ll keep adding more?

“His movement was brilliant for the goal and he hits it very early. To be fair to Johnny, the keeper makes a brilliant save with one of his chances when you see it back, but he was a real threat all night. His all-around game was good and he worked extremely hard. We know what we have with Johnny and I think you can see that his play really suits how we play.”

It was great for Trevor Clarke to score his first goal since his return and how good a strike was that after his solo run at the Saints defence?

“It was a brilliant strike. Trevor would feel that he should have more goals this season already and the one he scores in Richmond is probably harder than any of the opportunities that he’s had, so it’s a brilliant strike. I don’t think any keeper is saving that – as it hits the net, it’s still rising.”

Was everyone delighted to finally get our captain Ronan Finn back on the pitch for the first time this season?

“Yes, Ronan is our captain and our leader. He got injured late in pre-season and we just took our time with it. Then when he came back, he was one of the ones that the illness affected as well. It was great to get him back on the pitch because we know how important he is for us.”

The large away support were very happy with the win, as well as the news that Jack Byrne will stay at the club. You were impressed by his maturity and mentality on the night after what must have been a very distracting week for all concerned?

“I wasn’t surprised by how he handled it but it was great to see it because it was a difficult week for everybody involved, but especially for Jack. He’s the one in the middle of it and I’m sure he had 10 different people in his ear, telling him different things. So it’s very easy to be distracted by that and not focus on your performance, but I felt on Friday he showed why he is at the level he’s at. I thought he was really mature in how he played, he worked extremely hard for the team and obviously, his quality was there for all to see.”

The team drew 1-1 in Sligo on opening day. What have you made of them this season since then?

“I think have been very good, when you watch their games. They’ve caused every team trouble, home or away and I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to Tallaght and taking us on, because they’ve been good this year.”

We’ve kept 4 clean sheets in our last 5 games but Max Mata is the league’s top goalscorer. Will we have to try and keep him quiet on the night?

“I think it’s about trying to control the game as early as possible and keep them quiet as a team, not one player. We never focus on one player, no matter who we’re playing so it’s about getting to grips with the game as soon as possible and respecting all their threats, from set plays and both of their wingers. So it’s about respecting them all really.”

Unusually we have 3 away wins and 1 home win on the board so far. Will recapturing our strong home form be important this season as it has been in previous years, starting against Sligo on Tallaght?

“I’ve been saying for weeks that our home performances have been good. We’ve had one or two moments and spells where we haven’t been, but as a whole, we’ve been good. We just need to stay at those levels and I’ve no doubt that the results will follow. Our home form the last few years has been really strong and we’ll need that to be the case again this season.”

What is the latest on injuries?

“Rory Gaffney is doing really well and he could be in contention for the game but Dylan Watts will be a couple more weeks and Sean Gannon will be similar. Liam Burt will probably be next as well but Simon Power should be available for Friday.”

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