The ticket allocation for away supporters is SOLD OUT. kick off in Tolka Park is at 7.45pm, with coverage on LOITV

We got back to winning ways on Friday by beating Derry City 1-0 on Friday thanks to a late Dylan Watts penalty. It was a thoroughly deserved win.

“Yes, it was. I thought a lot of our stuff was really good. They are obviously areas where we still need to improve but we nullified a lot of what Derry are good at, so winning the game 1-0 was really pleasing. “

We began the game really quickly and on the front foot. Some of the passing and penetration in that first half was excellent.

“We had a really good tempo, in everything we did, we played with real intent, which was also pleasing. We were unlucky not to be a couple of goals ahead at half time and again that was really pleasing to see.”

A win with a clean sheet is always a good night’s work and we restricted to Derry to very little in terms of chances. That must’ve been really satisfying.

“I was delighted for Ed. He’s been brilliant for us so to get the clean sheet for him was excellent. Other than set plays from Derry, Ed hadn’t much to deal with.”

The big games continue apace with Shelbourne away tomorrow. Shels have a win, two draws and a defeat. What have you made of them so far this season?

“Some of it has been good. When you look at their attacking players, they’ve got real quality, Harry Wood, Will Jarvis, Seán Boyd, John Martin, Ally Coote and Kerr McEnroy, all really good players. Even with their defeat to Pats on Friday, they always created. We know that they’re a dangerous team. They’re usually good games between us so we’re looking forward to it.”

Two significant milestones were reached on Friday. Lee Grace reached 300 Rovers appearances and you surpassed the legendary Rovers player and manager Paddy Coad’s tally of 444 games as manager. Two massive achievements by Lee and yourself. 

“I’m delighted for Lee, he has been a pillar in what we’ve done from the start. There are many more left in him as his body is really good and he did very well when he came in on Friday night. As for myself, as I said on Friday night, it is a tremendous honour and privilege to go past Paddy Coad. As soon as you come to Rovers, you hear about Paddy. His is the only remaining photograph in the tunnel from years back so it shows you how important he is. So, to surpass that is amazing and it’s not lost on me how special that is. I’m forever grateful for that.”

Danny Mandroiu, Max Kovalevskis and Rory Gaffney remain out injured, any new injuries from Friday? 

“Dan Cleary is out after coming off on Friday. There are a few other knocks that we need to look at today (Sunday). We won’t take any chances considering where we are in the season.”