Was that the perfect way to wrap up the Bank Holiday weekend in Sligo, gaining maximum points in what was a tricky fixture so soon after Friday?
Yes, I think all round it was an excellent performance. We were a little bit sloppy in certain aspects of our play but in the second half we tidied up and we were very good. We scored three goals and kept a clean sheet, so coming off the back of Friday, it was a really good performance.
What did you think of the first half and did we go up through the gears in the second 45 minutes?
The first half was very good, it was just our final bit was sloppy. We were giving the ball away too often and making poor decisions, which is very unlike us. We were making hurried decisions, which was unlike us. We spoke at half-time about being a lot calmer in our final bit and I thought in the second half we did that and obviously caused them a lot of problems.
Rory Gaffney scored a brace. The second goal he does well to control and finish it but is the first a great team goal from our point of view?
The first one is really good play leading up to it. Johnny makes a good run down the side and then has the composure to find Rory. He could have easily panicked and lashed it but he was calm, and picks out Rory for a good finish. The second one is a really good goal in transition for us. Jack hits the ball, Rory runs and it’s a very good finish. Aaron’s goal had all the subs involved. Justin plays it into Graham, and Graham is nice and calm and it’s a good finish from Aaron.
Jack received a lot of praise for that pass for Rory. Is he really at the top of his game at the moment?
Yes, his fitness levels are really high at the moment. He’s worked extremely hard for the team and we all know the ability that Jack has. We shouldn’t be surprised by that ball on Monday, he’s done it that many times but it’s his all-round game that’s the really pleasing aspect.
UCD are on a bad run of seven straight defeats. How will they approach Tallaght?
I think they’ll enjoy coming to Tallaght with the big pitch. They have young players that play with no fear. We saw that out in UCD [in May], that they have a good crop of young players. Tallaght is the perfect pitch so I think they’ll come with no fear and have a right go at us.
It’s the last game before the mid-season break. Will it mean something, not only for our league position but mentally, to finish strongly going into it?
Of course. We said last week that the aim was nine points going into the break and we’re still on course to do that. We know that we always get stronger after the break but it’s important that we finish really strong now and do everything possible to get another three points on the board
Is there an updated timeframe for when Alan Mannus is likely to return?
We’re hoping Alan is maybe three or four weeks away, we’re not 100% sure on that one. It’s about how it settles when he’s taken out of the splint that he’s in but they’re really happy with the progress he’s been making, so hopefully he’s not too far away.
Richie Towell is still suspended. Is Dylan Watts fit for Friday and how is Dan Cleary after having to come off in Sligo?
Dylan was fit on Monday to be fair to him but he’s had a long time out and it’s the type of injury that you need to be really careful with. He’s available again for Friday but more than likely it will be after the break before we see Dylan back on the pitch. Dan is fine. He felt the bottom of his foot tightening up and we didn’t take any chances with it but I think Dan should be OK. Ronan is back, Liam and Simon are back involved so we’re nearly there in terms of having everyone available.