Stephen Bradley on Saturday’s 1-0 at Bohemians:

“It was a great way to win the game, especially a Dublin Derby. But I felt overall that we fully deserved it. Going on our possession, our chances and shots on target I felt we deserved the three points.

It was OK when we got there but the rain came 20 minutes into the game and the pitch looked really bad. I was afraid the referee might call it during the game but we managed the conditions really well and adapted to the game quite quickly.

We knew that it was going to be a bad day and that the storm would come so we had to prepare for that. There was no point in being surprised when it did come. The pitch was obviously terrible but the players adapted to the conditions really quickly. We said before the game that there were no excuses, we have to go and try and get the three points.

The players were brave, they kept moving the ball even though the conditions and the pitch wasn’t allowing it. They had the courage to keep playing the way we play. In terms of chances, Bohs had the free kick and one in the second half that went wide but nothing of note other than that.

It’s a great save by Alan but if you speak to Alan he expects to make those saves. He’s disappointed when he gets beaten from distance. He’s the best keeper in the country. He showed that last season and he showed it again on Saturday.

We started slow in the first ten minutes of the second half and they had a little period but after that I felt we were back in control of the game. Once Lyons got sent off we obviously penned them in. It was a sending off, as he caught Graham high.

We said at half time the goal could come in the last kick of the game. We said to be patient and keep working them. Bohs cleared two off the line in the second half, one from Dylan and one from Aaron Greene’s header. We felt it was coming if we trusted what we were doing, not panic and it would open up.

Aaron’s all-round game is outstanding the way he links the game for us and stretches defences. He’s strong, powerful and quick. What’s been missing is those little tap ins because he’s doing so much work outside the box. We’ve been trying to get him to stand still in the middle of the box and more of those goals will come. His positioning against Bohs was really good and he got his reward in the end.

It’s always nice to send your fans home from a Dublin Derby with three points. You look at the conditions and the fans stayed there with the wind, rain and cold. They turned out in their numbers and we understand that’s not easy to do in days like that and it means a lot to us.”

Friday’s game at home to Cork:

“It’s very much a new team but I went down to watch them against Shelbourne and even though they lost the game, at times they showed real quality. They showed they were dangerous so we’ve got to respect that and be ready for that.

Hopefully the Tallaght pitch doesn’t get too much rain over the next day or so and it allows us to play the type of game we like to play. I’d just like to thank the fans for [high season ticket sales] because it gives you another little boost to know that so many fans are interested to watch you. It’s great support and the players will be going all out to make sure they produce on the pitch to pay that back.”

Squad update:

“Joey O’Brien dislocated his shoulder against Bohs. We’ll just have to wait and see how it settles. Thankfully on Sunday it rolled back in and he wants to play on. But that’s Joey and the type of pro he is. He doesn’t want to be out.”