Thursday evening’s UEFA Europa League Third Qualifying Round First Leg tie kicks off at 19:15 Irish time. A live stream is available for purchase here for €10.

When we spoke prior to Friday’s 2-1 league win in Waterford, you expressed the wish that there’d be no post-European hangover as there was with the FAI Cup. Your wish was granted, particularly in the first half.

“We know, as a group, that we let ourselves down after the win against Vikingur losing to Bohs that week, so we knew we had to perform in Waterford, and I think we did that. First half we were very good, second half you could see some mental and physical fatigue with us but when we made the changes, we finished the game strongly and saw it out.”

Waterford manager Keith Long used the expression “men against boys” to describe his view of that first half. Given that we were three points behind Waterford before the game, that certainly speaks volumes for the quality of that first 45 minutes.

“It was clear to see in the first half that the group carried on from the levels away to Sparta Prague on the Tuesday into the Waterford game. Waterford found that very difficult to live with. Our attitude and work-rate were brilliant, and the performance came on the back of that. It was a really pleasing night.”

We go into Thursday’s UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round with an important league win under our belt. Coming after an excellent performance in Prague, the group must be in a good place mentally ahead of a tough assignment with NK Celje of Slovenia.

“Yes, we’re in a good place. We know we’re going into a difficult game; they all are at this level and at this stage. We know we’re going over to play a good team but the Sparta Prague experience in terms of playing them will only help us and I’m sure we’ll only be better for that experience. We’ll use what we learned in those two games, take what we did well and improve upon what we didn’t do so well. We’ll take all that into Thursday night and do everything we can to win the game”

What can we expect to see with NK Celje in terms of shape, playing style and possible dangermen?

“They have threats, as you’d expect, all over the pitch. They’re a possession-based team, lots of movement and rotation and they’re dangerous in the final third of the pitch. But that’s to be expected when you get to this level of competition. We know what we’re going into, they’re a good side.”

Rory Gaffney remains out injured. How are recent casualties Seán Hoare and Johnny Kenny and did everyone come away from Waterford ok?

“Seán is back, he trained and is good. We had him scanned and it was fine, but he felt good after the initial two-day period. So he’s clear, which is great. Johnny Kenny is still a couple of weeks away from a return. But everyone came out of the Waterford game ok.”