Final tickets remain on sale – Main and South Stands are SOLD OUT. TV Coverage on Virgin Media Two begins at 7.30pm

We made it two out of two derby wins in a week last Friday with a 1-0 away win over St Patrick’s Athletic. It was a deserved three points.

“It was. I know Pat’s had two opportunities off our play, but in general we controlled the game and, in my opinion, we fully deserved to win the game.”

You were a little disappointed that we maybe didn’t kill off the game in terms of goals. Do you see that changing as we get sharper and fully into our stride?

“It needs to, we know it needs to and it usually does. We know we need to be more ruthless in the final third when get opportunities. We had a number of opportunities against Pat’s in terms of heavy overloads in our favour and we didn’t capitalise on them. We know that needs to improve and it will, but the sooner the better.”

Against an experienced and in-form St. Pat’s, our younger players again showed real maturity in seeing the game out. You must be delighted how their development and experience is shaping up.

“I’m really happy. I’m happy with how they’ve trusted us, trusted the process of them developing. Sometimes you get young players and their agents and they want it to happen yesterday. Our lads have all committed to us, which is so important, which then means you can really put them in at the right time, or take them out, give them their runs and really develop them in the right way. The team that finished against Pat’s was really young, which again was a really good learning experience for them. They will only be better for that.”

For those who may have missed it, last weekend, Gary O’Neill released a powerful video about his cancer journey since last October. Gary’s treatment has thankfully seen a successful outcome and his goal is to get back on the pitch soon. It just shows how life can change in an instant and just how tough and determined Gary has been, as a player but also as a person.

“Gary and his family have been incredible throughout it. We all know someone, whether it’s our immediate family or not, who has been affected by cancer. Unfortunately, one in three will be affected by it. I don’t think everyone knows just what a terrible disease it is. Until it knocks on your door, you don’t really feel it or understand it. We know from talking, that the mentality in those tough moments are so important in how you approach it. Gary’s mentality has been incredible. We had been speaking about Gary doing that video for some time, but I was delighted he decided to wait until he came out the other side, that was totally understandable, but I was delighted that he spoke. It will affect so many people up and down the country. For me, as a man, I wasn’t aware that what started in Gary’s stomach could be the cancer he got (a form of testicular cancer), so I’m sure there are also many people who weren’t aware of that. So for Gary to bring that to light and speak about it, was really powerful. If it makes one person check that lump, or that feeling in your stomach, for me that’s an incredibly powerful thing he has done. So, thank you to Gary, it was powerful.”

It’s Dublin Derby time again as we play Bohemians at home. They suffered their first defeat of the season last Friday and our only defeat so far was to Bohs. It is a game between two good teams going well after eleven games.

“Two good teams, similar to St Pat’s with a lot of good players on the pitch. It’s another Dublin derby and you look at the recent Shels game, we should be 4-1 up with the game over, then two minutes later it’s 3-2 and game on. Dublin derbies have a habit of momentum changing so quickly in moments. We know tomorrow is a tough game, but it’s one we’re very much ready for and looking forward to.”

Danny Mandroiu continues his recovery from his ACL injury. How are Rory Gaffney, Dylan Watts and Dan Cleary and is anyone else unavailable?

“Dan Cleary is back, he trained all week. Dylan will be next week. Rory remains a bit longer. Lee Grace will be probably next week also. Everyone else is fine.”