Monday evening’s Dublin Derby in Tallaght Stadium kicks off at the earlier time of 7.15 pm. Some home supporter tickets are still available. Coverage on RTE2.


Were you delighted with how everything went against Sligo on Friday, the performance and the win to open up the gap even further?

“I thought were excellent on Friday. The players really imposed themselves on the game very early and obviously scored two really good goals in the first half, and kept a clean sheet. So overall we were really happy.”

We seemed to be firing on all cylinders particularly in a dominant first half. Can you remember a 45 minutes by this team as outsanding as that?

“I think we’ve had a lot of really good performances throughout the year but I felt on Friday the players showed a real desire and hunger to go and impose themselves on the game. When they do that, and play with that aggression and tempo, it’s very hard for any opponent to deal with. I thought they did that really well on Friday.”

How clever were both finishes by Danny and Aaron in their own way?

“Both are brilliant goals. Danny robs the ball and goes on a run. Aaron makes a great run to open the space for Danny and he finishes it. Aaron’s goal was really good. It was brilliant for Aaron because he had done his homework on their goalkeeper. He’s very good down low with his feet, so Aaron decided to go high and it was a great finish.”

Dylan’s set piece delivery was so accurate all night and Rory Gaffney was lively when he was introduced late on. That saw the woodwork hit four times in the end, so you must have been wondering how it wasn’t more than two?

“Yes, when you hit the post or the crossbar four times, you’ll always feel that you could have scored one or two more but we’re delighted with the two goals, the clean sheet and most importantly the three points.”

Bohs have edged it in the last two derbies at Dalymount Park. Will the players and everyone be hoping to put that right this time with a win?

“Of course, that’s our aim. Our aim is to go and win the game. It’s obviously a Dublin Derby, it’s a big game and we’re looking to get as many points on the board to reach our target of winning the league. So Monday gives us another opportunity to do that and we’ll be going all out to do that.”

Our fans couldn’t be there at those two derbies but up to 4,000 Hoops supporters can certainly be an advantage Monday?

“I’m sure it will. We asked for the fans to come out and create a good atmosphere on Friday and they certainly did that. I thought they were brilliant and the players and staff fully appreciate that. I think the players respond to that all the time and hopefully Monday is no different. When the fans are like that in full voice, Tallaght can be an intimidating place for opponents to come and play.”

Does the league position of the teams not matter when it comes to this game, it just takes on a life of its own?

“Yes, Dublin Derbies usually do and this one will be no different. League positions won’t matter, it’s going to be about who shows up on the day and we’ll be doing everything possible to make sure that’s us.”

Could Graham Burke play a part in the match and were there any knocks coming out of the game Friday?

“There’s no new knocks. A few kicks which is always the case but nothing major. Graham has trained this morning and came through it fine so he’ll be available.”