Kick off in Louth is at 8pm, with live coverage on Virgin Media 2

While we won 2-1 on the night against Ararat Armenia, we go out of the Champions League 3–2 on aggregate. Is there a feeling of it’s one that got away this week?

“I think so. I think we all know what we produced on the night was brilliant. Nine times out of ten, it’s enough to bring you through. Unfortunately on Tuesday it wasn’t. So it’s definitely a feeling of frustration.”

Is it another harsh lesson at this level, that you can’t lose concentration or come off your levels at any time as one moment can cost so much?

“You can’t and we know that, we’re an experienced team. But I think Ararat had one shot that hit the post in the first half and their goal. That’s all they had but they scored and that’s Europe.”

But we can’t feel sorry for ourselves as we come back to league action after a month of European preparations and action as we travel to Drogheda tomorrow night.

“That’s what’s brilliant about football, the next game is always just around the corner. We know Drogheda away is a really important game for us so we need to learn and move on quickly from Tuesday and all focus is on Drogheda tomorrow.”

Is Drogheda’s position in the table slightly misleading given the job Kevin Doherty has done in his time there and what we know we’ll face tomorrow?

“Yes it is. We’ll see that tomorrow night. When you watch Drogheda’s games, a large portion of those games, it’s been small margins in terms of coming out the right or wrong side of the result. We know what we face tomorrow night, Drogheda are a good team and very good at what they do, so it’ll be a tough game.”

We had a busy end to the transfer window with Will Fitzgerald signing from Sligo Rovers and Tunmise Sobowale’s loan deal from St Mirren becoming permanent. You must be delighted to get both in full time and for fans not too familiar with Will, what will he bring to the group?

“I’m delighted and all the credit must go to Ronan Finn for working incredibly well on both. We’ve spoken so much the past couple of weeks and I’m sure his poor wife is killing him, he’s never at home, but Ronan worked extremely hard to get both done. I’m delighted Tunmise is staying with us permanently and with Will, he’s one we’ve been after for some time. He’s a leader and has great versatility and real quality so really happy to get Will in.”

How did the lads, particularly Danny Mandroiu emerge from the Ararat game and are any of Victor Ozhianvuna, Danny Grant, Dan Cleary or John McGovern nearer a return?

“Everyone came out ok, a few knocks as usual, Danny came through it fine, no problems. John, Dan and Danny I’m hoping are just another week away, possibly a little longer. Victor was over with Arsenal this week, so we’re just waiting on the specialists’ update with Victor, we’re hoping he won’t be too far away, but he’s not as close as the others.”