Tickets are still on sale for this Dublin Derby. Kick-off is at 8pm in Tallaght Stadium.

Hopefully it will be third time lucky in beginning our 2026 league campaign tomorrow night. The players and indeed staff must be itching to get going at this stage.

“Yes, exactly. It’s been frustrating but there’s nothing anybody could have done, the weather is the weather. So we’re really looking forward to getting going tomorrow, kicking off the season and getting back into it.”

Despite the postponements of the Dundalk and Shelbourne games, the squad was involved in friendlies and in-house games. Did the postponements actually suit the group after a short off-season?

“Nothing beats competitive games, we all know that, but it has given us a couple of more weeks to get ready for the season and get players up to speed so that’s been good. We’re just looking forward to getting going now.”

We welcome Saint Patrick’s Athletic to Tallaght Stadium tomorrow. Stephen Kenny’s team will provide a very tough test for us.

“Yes they will. We saw it last year and I don’t doubt they’ll be the same this year. They’ve got some really good players, dangerous players and they’re always good games between us. I expect tomorrow to be no different.”

There were several transfers both in and out at St Pat’s during pre-season. Do you see that making much or any difference as to how St Pat’s usually set up?

“I think at times, too much is made of a club doing lots of business. I think more often than not, having the settled squad is much better. But there hasn’t been too much movement there, which I’d imagine would be a positive for them and will only make them stronger and better for that.”

A very big crowd is expected in Tallaght Stadium, that should give real energy to both teams as Pat’s will have a big support also.

“When we play each other, it’s usually a very good crowd. We will both have big support and it looks like we’ll be close to a sold out crowd, which is always good.”

Other than Danny Mandroiu and Max Kovalevskis, is everyone else available?

“Rory Gaffney is out, he injured his ankle. Everyone else is ok.”