Tickets remain on sale for the Easter Monday 5pm kickoff in Tallaght Stadium. Coverage on LOITV.

We drew 1-1 on Friday night away to Waterford. Despite dropping two points, your post-match interview was upbeat overall.

“I was really happy with it. After reviewing the game and going through it as a staff and as a group, there’s not much more from the players we can ask for. Other than obviously the end product, the goals, that’s quite clear and goals win games. But there’s not much we could change from the game, I thought we were excellent in every aspect. Nine times out of 10, you play that game, you win it.”

You were able to give Enda Stevens his first start since returning to the club and also Naj Razi for his first appearance of the season after also returning to Rovers. It was important to get them some minutes and both did well.

“We’ve had to be patient with Enda, just thinking of the months leading up to before he came to us, in terms of not playing much football, then he had a few niggles, and we didn’t want to rush him. But Enda’s quality is clear to see and why he’s had the career he’s had. I thought he was excellent on Friday night. We took him off as he was on a yellow card and the game had become more open, so we had to be careful there. But in terms of his performance levels and what he brought to the team, I was delighted with Enda. We know what Naj has and it was like he’s never been away when he came on. He showed his quality and what he will bring to the team going forward. When we signed Naj, it was obviously for the now, because he can definitely play now. But it’s for the bigger picture as well, Naj will be a really good player for us.”

Up next is Shelbourne at home on Monday (5pm kick off). We came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Tolka recently, tomorrow should be a similarly close and entertaining game.

“It should be a good game, two good teams, a Dublin derby. We know we need to start the game better than we did at Tolka, we can’t give teams head starts like that. Looking back at that game, parts were really good, parts where we need to be better. But that was early in the season and we’re looking forward to the game tomorrow.”

Shels three league wins so far this season have been away from home, they will be keen to bounce back after Friday’s home defeat to Dundalk.

“I’m sure they will. We just need to focus on ourselves, be ready to go and compete and do our stuff. And we will be. It’s a nice game to bounce into on Monday after a Friday game.”

Did everyone come out of the Waterford game ok? Danny Mandroiu, Rory Gaffney, Dylan Watts and Dan Cleary remain out, is it still too early for Adam Brennan to return?

“Connor Malley picked up a knock in Waterford, so we will see how he is in training today. Everyone else came through Friday ok. Adam is itching to get back, but again at this part of the season, there’s no point in taking unnecessary risks and being without Adam for a period of time. We were cautious on Friday and we’ll have a look at Adam at training, have a chat about it afterwards about whether we put him in tomorrow or delay it. It’s nothing major, we just need to be patient.”