Monday night’s match in Eamon Deacy Park kicks off at 7.45pm. Coverage on LOITV.

Friday saw our first home league on a Friday night since May, but the team really turned up with a resounding 4-0 win over Sligo. You’d mentioned beforehand you wanted us to be ruthless at both ends.

“I thought we were very very good to be honest. There was a lot of really good stuff. It’s no coincidence we had no distractions during the week. We had a full week to ten days training which was good, and I think you could see that. Parts of our performance on Friday were really good.”

The first goal was brilliantly built up; good passing, a switch of play by Jack Byrne, a great early cross from Trevor Clarke and a brave header from Johnny Kenny.

“It was a really good goal all round. There was a lot of that we’d been working on, so it was good to see it come through in the game and score a goal off the back of it.”

Sometimes a team going down to ten as Sligo did after 55 minutes can dig in or sit in and frustrate, but we really seemed to use the extra man well with excellent movement and crisp passing at a quick tempo. That must have pleased you how we were hungry for more goals and kept making chances.

“Exactly, that was one of the pleasing aspects of it. We stayed focussed, kept probing, and looking to hurt them which is always important. I think when a team goes down to ten men, it can be difficult. But we moved the ball really well and when the opportunity came to penetrate and hurt them, we did that well.”

But that’s now done and dusted, we got the three points you wanted and now we get ready immediately for the difficult assignment in Galway.

“Yes, we’ve always said we move on quickly whether we win, lose or draw. Friday is no different, that’s done, the performance was good, but we move on and get ready for Galway tomorrow night and hopefully get another three points.”

Will the very recent draw with Galway influence your team selection or team set-up for the game?

“When you’re picking a team to play Galway, you have to respect what they’re good at and that will have an impact on what you do. Then add in the fact that we’ve a lot of games this month, that will also come into play when picking the team. Everyone will play their part, tomorrow, next Friday and for the rest of the season. It’s about understanding that, as we go again in Derry next Friday, then the week after there are more big games. So, tomorrow, we pick a team to win the game in Galway but mindful that we have a heavy load coming up.”

Momentum at this business end of the season is huge, this would be a great time to really kick on with a busy and crucial domestic month ahead as you’ve mentioned above.

“It will be, and we know we must be at our best tomorrow night to win. But momentum is huge in football, we started on Friday with a win, so the aim is to continue that tomorrow in Galway. We know it will be tough but that’s the aim.”

Lee Grace is back from a one match ban. Aaron Greene, Aaron McEneff and Rory Gaffney remain on the injured list, did everyone come out of the Sligo game ok?

“Everyone came through Friday ok. Jack Byrne picked up a little knock, but he’ll be fine. Both Aarons are doing well and shouldn’t be too long, maybe another two weeks. All went well with Rory when he was away for his operation so we’re hopefully looking at another three to four weeks until we see Rory. So, they are getting there but everyone else came through Friday ok.”