We were beaten 2-0 on Thursday night by NK Celje in the second of our Conference League phase games. The damage was done in the first half, especially the second goal just before half time. That seemed to particularly grate with you.

“It did. It’s a set play and we can’t be giving up goals like that at any level, but especially against these teams. You give yourself a mountain to climb and we didn’t defend the set play well enough and that’s the really frustrating bit.”

It was a spirited second half by the lads and a good performance, but we just can’t seem to buy a goal at the moment. Is there a cause for concern at three successive blanks for us, or is it just a lack of a break here and there that sometimes happens to teams and is certainly a rarity with this group?

“I think we’re creating a lot of chances, I think if you look at the second half on Thursday, we’ve just reviewed the numbers, the second half was really good. We created a number of opportunities and on another night we score. The Celje keeper made two brilliant saves and they fall either side of our player standing there. They’re the small margins we’re talking about. We went to Inchicore, Joseph Anang made three brilliant saves, from  Graham Burke and Rory Gaffney. That’s just the way it’s falling, with Shels they cleared two off the line. So you can look into it that we haven’t scored in three games or look into the facts and the numbers and see what it really looks like. That’s our job to really delve into it and understand it. So we’re right there, the most important thing is we’re creating.”

So we move on rapidly as we need to, with the trip tomorrow to the Ryan McBride Brandywell to face second placed Derry City, still needing that point to secure the league title. We’ll be going there to win the game.

“Yes, of course, as we have done the last few games. It’s the way we play and we’ll do the same tomorrow. We know Derry are a good team and are playing well and all of that, but we’re going up to win the game.”

We came from behind to win 2-1 there earlier in the season, we have a good record in Derry so everyone must be looking forward to the game against a decent Derry team.

“When you’re in this period when there’s game after game every few days, you just move quickly onto the next game. Football is brilliant for giving you opportunities and we’ve an opportunity on Sunday to put Thursday to right and try win the game and that’s the beauty of football and what we’ll try to do.”

Tiernan Lynch has done a very good job in his first season with Derry. In your view has he created a clear philosophy on this particular Derry group?

“I think it’s clear to see what Derry try and do. They’ve got good players, have invested heavily and I’m sure they will again. That’s good for the league, good for Derry and they’re a good team. So you can see Tiernan has done a good job and we’re under no illusions that it’ll be a tough game. They’ve been tough games with them in Tallaght, it’ll be a tough game tomorrow. But it’s a place where we like playing.”

Before you travel to the game however, you and your Assistant Manager Glenn Cronin are running in the Dublin City Marathon on Sunday morning in aid of the children’s cancer charity Oscar’s Kids. How much are you looking forward to the run, how has training been and the current money raised is currently at almost €43,000, that’s an incredible tally for the charity (link to donate here https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/SB63018192).

“It really is. That was the number one reason for doing this. To raise an amount of money that will change people’s lives, help people and their families. So a massive thank you from Glenn and I to everyone who has donated. You don’t understand the impact this will have on families up and down the country, how much it will help them. It’s only when you’re in it, you really see how good these charities are for families and kids. So that’s the reason we’re doing it and we’re so grateful and thankful for every euro that’s been donated. We’re looking forward to running the race and then getting to Derry. It’s a special and emotional day for both of us and we’re overwhelmed with the support we’ve had in financial terms. We know it’s not easy for people to put their hand in their pockets and give money, so to have raised almost €43,000 is special and it will go a long way to help a lot of people.”

Finally, how did everyone come away from the Celje game and anyone other than Danny Grant and Aaron Greene miss out?

“Danny Mandroiu will be out, he picked up a knock on Thursday night. It’s just too risky to push him for Sunday. Danny is too important to us and has been brilliant so we can’t risk missing him for the rest of the season.”