Gartland frustrated by derby defeat performance

Shelbourne defender Graham Gartland believes that his team never really got  going against Bohemians in their Airtricity League match on Friday night.

“I think it was a scrappy game at the start. Both sides didn't want to give up the first goal and then we did. We were sloppy from a throw in. When we went 1-0 down, we never really got back into the game.”

Gartland was frustrated that Shelbourne could not put in a better performance especially considering the importance of Friday night's match at the bottom of the table.

“That's the most frustrating thing. It's a massive game when you play the teams in and around you. You expect it to be a closer game and to keep it tighter. The 5-1 against Dundalk we were thinking might have been just a one off. Obviously we conceded three tonight, which makes it eight goals in two games. As a back four we are not happy with that.”

The 3-0 defeat to Bohemians means Shels are bottom of the table, one point behind Bray Wanderers and five behind Bohs, although they have a game in hand. Gartland believes that he and his teammates need to take more responsibility if they want to avoid relegation.

“There is no point in giving up now when there is five games to go. You have to keep going. There is no other option. I wouldn't put it down to Johnny (McDonnell). Johnny's been excellent since he came in.

“We need to look at ourselves. I take the responsibility for some of the performance tonight. As a senior player I should probably have been a bit more vocal and pushed the team on. It's up to us to take responsibility. It's in the results. We need to do more. We all need to push more.”

The Shelbourne centre half is not overly happy with the way that his side's final five fixtures in the league fall.

“The fixtures are piling up. The way the last few games are done is a bit poor on some of the lads because we're part time. It's poor on the league's part I feel. I'm not one to criticise the league but I think it's poor.”