We lost our grip on the FAI Cup on Sunday losing 3-2 after extra time to St Patrick’s Athletic. It’s never good losing that grip on a trophy, but were you pleased with the performance given Thursday’s heavy defeat in Albania and a very short turnaround time given the long trip home?
“We asked for a response from Thursday and we got that. We’re a minute away from going through on Sunday. Ed McGinty is very unlucky then to not save the penalty. Once it went to extra time, to be fair, the players were out on their feet, after Thursday and they gave everything. We just came up short but we can’t ask for much more off the back of Thursday for what they brought on Sunday.”
A 2-0 half time lead was very hard-earned, we soaked up Pats pressure well and hit them with two sucker punches. The first goal by Jonathan Afolabi was really well worked between Tunmise Sobowale, Danny Mandroiu and Jonathan.
“It was a good goal, great movement from Jonathan to score and it shows what he’ll bring to us as he gets fitter and sharper. We just had to make sure early in the game that we were fine in terms of starting the game ok and staying in the game, which we did well. Then we grew into the game and that was good to see.”
Danny Mandroiu made his first start since his ACL injury last November and put in an impressive hour or so performance. Everyone, especially Danny, must be delighted at his recovery and increasing sharpness with every appearance.
“That was the most pleasing aspect of Sunday. I thought Danny was excellent, it was great to see that sharpness and speed was still there. Ideally you keep him on the pitch for the ninety plus minutes, especially as he was playing well. But we had to be careful also, he’s only back after a long time out and we need to mind him as well. But it was pleasing to see the level Danny was at.”
We meet KuPS tomorrow in the Conference League playoff first leg. What can we expect to see from our opponents in terms of their playing style and possible formation?
“They’re a good team. I’m sure they’ll feel they should have went through in their last Europa League round. They were very good and have got real threats in their team, good speed. Tactically they’re good which is the case with most Scandinavian teams. So we know it’s a tough game and a pretty even tie between us.”
Even though our home European nights are almost always loud and special, as well as the team rising to the occasion, we also need that ‘12th Man’ energy from the fans again.
“We do. Again to be fair, our fans have been brilliant. We completely understand they can get frustrated or angry when we lose games and that’s totally understandable. But the fans have been absolutely brilliant for us and I’ve no doubt they’ll bring that tomorrow night. That’s so important for us.”
What’s our latest on injuries for tomorrow night?
Matt Healy and Graham Burke are back after missing Sunday which is great. Still missing Danny Grant, Dan Cleary, John McGovern, Naj Razi and Victor Ozhianvuna. We’re hoping to get Victor rescanned in the next two weeks and we’ll sit down with Arsenal and have a chat then.”
