Away tickets are SOLD OUT. The match will be streamed on LOITV, the LOITV season pass is valid for cup games, and half season passes are on sale now.


It was arguably the most dramatic finish to a game we’ve seen in 15 years playing at Tallaght Stadium, especially what was at stake. What were you feeling or thinking in those moments when Vikingur were awarded the penalty and then when it was missed?

“When it was awarded and you know the game is over, you’re thinking ok, we have to refocus for extra time and see what our game plan will be. How we’ll get the players refocussed, mentally and physically as it had been a tough game, and we were down to ten men. So that was my first thought process, but when the penalty is missed, it’s just complete joy, you know the game is over and we’ve won. Then looking around the stadium, I’d never seen scenes like that in Tallaght Stadium, it was incredible and brilliant to see. It was a special night that will live with me and long in the memory of everyone who was there.”

When the Champions League draw was made, given our convincing defeat to another Icelandic team in Breidablik this time last year, do you feel, outside the group, that too many people maybe dismissed our chances of overcoming Vikingur?

“I think in sport, people forget what you’ve done very quickly. This group has been the best for such a long time, has been the team that has set standards for such a long time. Last year against Breidablik, we were missing too many key components in that game. We went into that game undercooked, you could see that over the two legs. Whereas with Vikingur, we were in a better place, in terms of the players available and that proved to be the case. But we never worry too much about how people feel or think outside of here, it’s always about what’s in the group. We know when we’re doing well, we know where we can improve. We knew when we saw the draw that Vikingur were a good team, but we felt over two legs, we could go through in the tie and we managed to do that.”

We’ve no time to dwell on Tuesday’s win however, we need to park that immediately and get ready for our Sports Direct FAI Cup campaign away to Bohemians. It being the big Dublin Derby, does that help in moving on from the physical and emotional effort against Vikingur?

“Yes of course. The players know straight away what these games demand and what they take. We know what it means and it’s a competition that we want to win. So, if we want to do that, we need to win against Bohs tomorrow night. Nights like Tuesday are special and we won’t forget them, but you really do have to park it, say ok it’s done. It’s something to look back on in a few years time. But, right now, it’s focus on the job in hand against Bohs and making sure that we’re in the hat for the next round.”

What areas or players concern you most in the Bohemians set-up?

“They’ve signed a few players in recent weeks that makes them stronger so there’s no doubt about that. We know where they’re strong, but we also know where they’re weak. We’ll go there fully focused, as we have been the last few weeks. We can go to any ground in the country and win. We know what Bohs are good at and we respect that, but we’re all out to win the game.”

Did everyone involved in the Vikingur game emerge ok and are any of Graham Burke, Rory Gaffney, Aaron McEneff and Markus Poom back for selection for the Cup game?

“Everyone came out of the Vikingur game ok, a few knocks, bumps and bruises which is to be expected in a game like that. But nothing major which is good. Rory Gaffney will be a few more weeks, Aaron McEneff won’t be available tomorrow and we’ll check on Graham Burke and Markus Poom. They are getting there and if it’s not tomorrow, it’ll be hopefully Tuesday for two or three of them.”