Jeff Kenna: "Players are fully behind me"

St.Patrick’s Athletic’s manager and players alike spoke in unison of mixed feelings following their two all draw against Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland Premier Division, relief that they had avoided another defeat but more significantly was the overriding sense of a missed opportunity in that they were unable to claim the victory that their improved performance deserved following Sligo’s late equaliser.

When asked for his initial reaction to the game manager Jeff Kenna said: “Disappointed not to hold on, (we) concede a second goal with two or three minutes to play but delighted with the performance. I know the players are fully behind me so we move on from here.” .

Speaking of his regret of conceding from another two dead ball situations Kenna added: “two set pieces which is disappointing, I’ve got to take positive from tonight. The performance was good, the lads worked their socks off which probably you could argue wasn’t the case in the previous few games.” .

However, Kenna was upbeat as always and looks to the future with great optimism on the grounds that his team are all pulling in the same direction: “Set pieces we can work on, the fact that the lads put that sort of performance in tonight, that work-rate, showed that desire, showed that bit of passion for the shirt. That gives me great hope for the future.” .

When questioned as to whether he will look to recruit a new number two with League of Ireland experience Kenna jokingly responded: “Yes. Seen as you lot (the press) are battering me about not being here I suppose somebody with League of Ireland experience would seem like a perfect fit.” .

Midfielder Gareth O’Connor who fortuitously scored his first of the season was of a similar mindset to his manager when it came to analysing the game: “We’re gutted at the end, I thought we done enough to win the game and obviously to give the goal away two or three minutes from the end we’re bitterly disappointed with.” .

Though, like Kenna he was just as quick to take the positives from the game on a team and personal level: “Having said that it’s a point, it brings us out of our slump so hopefully we can crack on from there.” .

O’Connor also revealed that he is happy to just be playing regular football at the moment free of injury: “It’s been a couple of years since I’ve had two, three games on the trot. So long may that continue. I felt good tonight. I got injured there earlier in the season against Sligo when I was just getting into my stride but now I feel a hundred percent now so I’m going to crack on next week.” .

St.Pat’s fans will certainly hope the impressive ball player can maintain his form and fitness alongside fellow midfielder and fellow goal scorer Alan Cawley. .

Cawley, whose goal lifted the roof off Richmond Park said of the goal: “I think any player should be able to use his two feet, fellas are playing football five, six, seven days a week the should be comfortable with both feet.” .

When asked about his celebration that saw him pick up a yellow card for taking his jersey off he said: “As soon as I hit it I knew where it was going. As I say to everyone I might never score a goal again so enjoy the moment, that’s my attitude.” .

The playmaker, like his manager and team-mate was also left ruing the late goal despite the improved display: “It’s criminal really to be giving away goals from set pieces but I suppose we have to take the positives out of it and try and build on that, it was a good performance tonight from the lads.” .

A united approach is there for all to see from Kenna and his players and with the fans also firmly back behind their team things may just be starting to slowly turn the right way for the Dublin giants.