Tickets for Friday night’s game are selling fast. Buy yours here now. The game will be televised on RTE2 with coverage beginning at 7.30pm

Performance-wise was it a game of two halves against Sligo, where the substitutes made the difference? 

“I said after the game that I thought we were poor in the first half and there possibly were a few reasons for that, but in the second half we were a lot more like ourselves and happy that we got the three goals and the three points.”

There were very few chances of note in the first half. Then your quadruple substitution at halftime did the trick with Graham Burke breaking the deadlock… 

“Yes, the first half was poor quality, especially from us, we didn’t play well, but in the second half we were a lot better, and Graham has came on and scored three really good goals.”

Rory Gaffney made a great impact when he came on to set up Graham’s second goal and then how great was it to see Graham complete his hat trick soon afterwards? 

“Rory, Graham, Andy and Chris all made an impact, but Rory and Graham were very good. Rory did very well for Graham’s goal, and it was a great finish from Graham.”

Everyone knew this big game against Derry was just around the corner but we had to do the business in this one first, so was it at an important three points? 

“We always focus on the game in front of us, we have to respect every team and their strengths and what they bring to the game. We did that against Finn Harps last Friday, and Sligo on Monday, we don’t look at any other game other than the one in front of us. Thankfully we managed to get the two wins ahead of facing Derry on Friday.”

We’re on a great run and form, the only thing you’d probably have liked more of is clean sheets. Will it be important to be tight defensively against Derry’s high scoring forwards? 

“We pride ourselves on clean sheets and have been annoyed that we’ve conceded goals in the last two games, especially the type of goals that they have been, they have been soft from our point of view. So that’s something that we need to get back to basics on, and we need to make sure that we are tuned in defensively against Derry.”

Are these the sort of games the players relish? 

“Yes of course, First vs second, in front of what should be a great crowd and two good teams on the pitch. These are the games that everyone wants to play and be a part of, it has all the makings of a great game.”

The crowd got behind the team against Sligo on what was a miserable wet Monday night and no doubt there will be even bigger interest on Friday for a big top of the table clash? 

“The crowds have been brilliant, we had a really good crowd on Monday considering the three home games in a week and that it was a Monday night. No doubt it will be another great crowd on Friday and we will need them all behind us to help us go and win the game.”

Lee Grace and Danny Mandriou weren’t involved on Monday. How are they? 

“Both have come on. Danny will be fine. We’ll need to check on Lee in the morning.”

Any other injuries or suspensions?

“Nothing to report.”