Tickets for the West and South stands are SOLD OUT. Tickets remain on sale for the North and East stands here. The game will be televised live on Virgin Media 2, kickoff at 7.45pm
It was a disappointing Monday night defeat away to Sligo Rovers, losing 2-1. Having watched the game back, does the manner of the goals we conceded still sting?
“Yes, it does because we do a lot of stuff we want to do on the night really well. Sligo didn’t have one shot on target in the game, but we’ve lost the game from two set plays and that’s the really frustrating bit. We need to make sure we tidy up on that. You’re going to concede goals, we understand that and it’s football, but the goals on Monday night were really poor.”
Having got back level after our really well-worked Graham Burke goal, did we look like we’d kick on and win the game?
“It did, it looked like all momentum was with us. Graham gave us a completely different dimension when he came on the pitch, he was brilliant. It did feel as if it was us who would go on to win the game. But as I said, you can’t defend set plays against anyone, at any level like that and think you can win a game of football. It’s cost us and that’s really disappointing.”
As always, however, there’s no point in dwelling on the result and it’s still very early in the season. Only Waterford have dropped three points this season, everyone else at least four.
“We know, and I’ve always said this as long as I’ve been here, that you judge us in November. That hasn’t changed. Are we happy at losing the game on Monday, of course not, we need to be better at losing those type of games. That can’t happen again, but I really like large aspects of what the group is doing and where they are. I like the feel of where the group is.”
We finally play a home League game this season, a Dublin Derby against St Pats, its heading for a near sellout again despite live TV coverage, so there’ll be no need to get anyone up for the game, be it players, staff and supporters.
“The players just need to trust the process and trust what we do. As I said, a lot of what we’re doing has been good. We need to tidy up the bits where we’ve been off it. But we’re really looking forward to being back in Tallaght, it’s a Dublin Derby, heading for a sold-out crowd. So, you don’t need to talk to the players and get them ready for a game like this.”
St Pat’s have two wins, a draw and a defeat. Aidan Keena has found a rich early season vein of scoring form, but they are a very strong outfit from 1-11 and have strong group.
“Yes, they have. They’ve invested heavily in their group, you can see their squad is really strong. They have some good players so it’s going to be a difficult game. We know that, but like always, we’ll try and impose ourselves on the game as soon as possible, try implementing our game plan to go and win the game. You have to respect what Pat’s are good at, but you also have to say how we’re going to win the game and that’s the aim for tomorrow night.”
Did everyone come out of the Sligo game ok and what’s the latest with injuries?
“There are a few knocks, normal things but nothing serious which is good. Trevor Clarke has got the all clear so he’s back training. Adam Matthews is still a couple of days away; he’s back running to 70-80%. Darragh Nugent got the all clear to train but not play yet. Seán Kavanagh, Lee Grace and Danny Mandroiu are another 2-3 weeks away. Lee has a groin strain from his injury against Shelbourne, but thankfully it’s not too bad.”
