Tickets are still on sale for Sundays clash in Tallaght Stadium. Kickoff is at 7pm. The match will be streamed on LOITV.

We eased through to the third qualifying round of the Conference League on Thursday with an uneventful 0-0 draw with St Joseph’s to advance 4-0 on aggregate. Was the aim of the night to just make sure nothing disastrous happened in terms of the result and injuries or were you disappointed with the performance?

“We always look to perform at our optimum level, but I think you have to understand that the players are human and to be fair to them, they’ve been brilliant. They did their work in the first leg in Gibraltar. Thursday was flat, there’s no getting away from that, but it happens at times. Some of our play was still good, some needs to improve and some of the individual stuff was good. We saw Gary O’Neill playing as right-sided centre back and he did well, Cian Barrett made his full debut in midfield and did really well. So, things like that were good and we got minutes into players who needed it. We came out of Thursday with no injuries which is good.”

Was it a case of, whether consciously or otherwise, the team had a mindset of, disasters apart, we were through to the next round so the intensity and tempo suffered a bit?

“I think that’s spot on. I think, without speaking about that, subconsciously that was there for sure. But again, we are only human and that can happen. The players were comfortable within the game, and it’s worked out well in terms of having that game for players to get minutes and ahead of both the game on Sunday against Derry and next week’s Conference League game. It has worked out really well for us.”

There was a danger if both Kosovan teams qualified for the next round (Prishtina, who lost to Larne on penalties and Ballkani who won and now play us), Sunday’s league game would’ve been postponed. Are you pleased we can get this league game against Derry played this Sunday? 

“It’s the outcome we wanted. We were hoping it would be that and that Larne would go through so we could play on Sunday and play next Thursday. We’re at a stage of the season where you want to play regular games and that’s what we were hoping. We were keeping a close eye on it; we watched the first half in the coach’s room. Then word came through that Larne had won, which meant we’d play Derry this Sunday so we’re really happy with that.”

To Sunday’s game v Derry City. Despite a draw and a defeat in their last two league games, they were on a very impressive and high-scoring run before those two results, scoring seven against Waterford. They are pushing hard to get closer to us in the table.

“Yes, they are. Derry have been doing well, and I’ve said they’ve invested heavily in their squad this year, both at the beginning of the season and again more recently. With that, they have a lot of quality within their group. I’m sure they are where they want to be, at the top end of the table. Derry have good players within the group and that’s clear to see. I’m sure they’ll come to Tallaght tomorrow and try and win the game. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready for that.”

Has Tiernan Lynch implemented his style of play to this Derry team since taking over for the beginning of the season? 

“I think so. he’s brought in a lot of his players. They brought in a lot at the start of the year and mid-season. I would say maybe seven or eight of the starting eleven are Tiernan’s players that he brought in. You would say it’s his stamp on the team now and he’s had time to work with them. Tiernan is a good coach with good players so Derry are a good team.”

Did everyone emerge ok from the St Joseph’s game and is anyone unavailable for the Derry game?

“Everyone is ok, there were no knocks from the St Joseph’s game, so everyone is fine.”