Collie, a good away draw in the All Island Cup last week. After Aine put us ahead earlier we found ourselves trailing going into the last 10 mins. Did you make any changes to try and get that goal or did you believe that the girls would find a way themselves, which Aine did again?
No, we believed in the group. It’s something that we spoke about from the previous game down in Cork where we rushed things and were trying to force passes, trying to have a little bit too much urgency and trying to go and get that goal. We spoke about it at half-time, to just believe in the process, and stick to what we’re good at. We had already created loads of chances in the first half and if we stick to what we’re good at, we’ll create more in the second half. That’s what they did and we created loads of chances, there should have been an awful lot more goals for us, but we were happy to get the draw and finish top of the group.
The draw was made for the next round and as group winners we have home advantage but have we received probably the hardest draw possible with Peamount at home?
No, we like being at home. Us in Tallaght Stadium, I think everybody turns up ready to play. We enjoy playing there so I think the group as a whole is looking forward to it, I think after playing Peamount a couple of weeks ago there will be a different emphasis being put on the game and it’s a game that we’ll be looking to try and go and win.
We are back in league action this Saturday against the league leaders Galway. What has changed over in Galway this year which has made them so strong compared to last year?
No, I thought they were a very good side last year. I think the big difference I suppose is the opposite to us, they’ve been scoring goals. I think they’ve been creating more or less the same amount of chances but they’ve been converting them, while we on the other hand, have been creating a high number of chances but haven’t been converting them. I think that’s the big difference with Galway this year, and you see it with teams that have been together a couple of years in a row, they go and they hit form. They were a very good side last year and it’s no surprise that they’ve pushed on this year.
The game is live on TG4 with a 7:35 pm kick off. Will the later kick-off time alter how you and the team prepare for the game?
No, not really. I suppose the kickoff time is the normal time when we train during the week, so the players are well accustomed to having to perform at that time. I do think a night-time game and a later kick-off do give it a different emphasis and I know the players really do enjoy playing at nighttime.
Galway are top of the league having only failed to win once so far this season (0-0 against Peamount) and in all of their other games, they have scored lots of goals. Will it be important for us to work hard defensively and keep our clean sheet?
Yeah, we’ve been working hard on that shape during this week, both defensively and how we intend to try and score some goals, so there’s been an awful lot of work being put in by the team this week so hopefully that will come off, but the important thing is for us for once to try and score that first goal.
Is there anyone in the Galway team that we will have to keep a close eye on during the game?
All of them, I think Julie-Ann Russell was a great addition when she came in this year. I think she’s added an extra little bit of emphasis to their play, not just in an attacking sense, she’s also great in the defensive sense that she’s the one who triggers that press to stop people and other teams from building momentum. She’s been a great addition to them.
Galway smashed the attendance record for a women’s league game a few weeks back, it’s great to see the women’s game growing here but would you like to see a big crowd in Tallaght on Saturday to cheer the girls on?
Yeah, I’d love to see a great crowd. It always helps with the atmosphere and the urgency and the tempo, and the players do thrive off it so the bigger the crowd, I always find, the better that we play. It’s something that the players lap up and really gives them the extra little kick to push on
Is everyone fit for the game or do we have any injury worries going into the game?
No, no new injury worries. Savannah is working well on her recovery back, and Fiona Owens is back in the squad so nothing new to report thankfully.