Tickets remain on sale. Kick off in Tallaght Stadium is at 8pm with coverage on LOITV.

Last Friday, we lost the opening Dublin Derby of the season, going down 3-2 to Bohemians. Having reviewed the game, do you still feel as you did after the match last Friday?

“Yes, there were 15 to 20 minutes in the second half where the game definitely got away from us. You must understand there’s a lot that goes into that, in terms of momentum, small moments and young players on the pitch, all that. But it’s something where we need to be better in those moments. These games are usually about those small moments which change momentum and that was the case last Friday.”

It looked like we were well in control of the game in the first 25 minutes. Then Bohs scored with their first genuine attack. Did that change the complexion of the game or was it more about second half you said above?

“Before the opening goal, we had two really good chances, Bohs’ keeper made two good saves. So, the opening goal did knock us a bit, took us a few minutes to get going again, but we did. As I said, the opening 15 to 20 minutes in the second half, we were well off it in every aspect and that was disappointing. We need to learn from that as a group and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Bohs added to their lead during the second half and we trailed 3-0 going into added time, but goals from Pico Lopes and Aaron Greene made the result closer. We kept going to the end.

“That’s this group. You don’t win what we’ve won or do what they’ve done if you haven’t got that character or that desire. We could even have taken a point with Pico having a chance with a header almost on the goal line that went over. What you can never doubt with this group is their character. They never stop.”

One positive from losing a game, is there is always the next game. This group has been an excellent in moving on from results, regardless of how they’ve gone. That will be the case tomorrow against Derry City.

“It’s up to us as a staff to understand it and not just pretend we don’t like losing games. When you lose, you really have to understand what happened, try and make it right and learn from it and be better for it. It’s really important as a group and this group is brilliant at it, understanding it and moving on, whether we win, lose or draw. Football and life waits for nobody so you have to be ready to go.”

Derry have two wins, a draw and a defeat so far, with all their games at home. We obviously played them in the President’s Cup final five weeks ago, so what have you made of them in their four league games to date?

“They’ve done well, I know they’ve all been at home, but they’ve won games which would be their aim. When you have players of Michael Duffy’s quality, you always have a chance of winning games. It will be a good game tomorrow, two good teams with a lot of good players on the pitch.”

Danny Mandroiu remains a long-term injury. Are Max Kovalevskis or Rory Gaffney near a return yet and is anyone else missing the Derry game?

Rory and Max are progressing but are still a few weeks away but they’re getting there. Danny is doing really well with his rehab. Everyone else is fine.”