Mathews hoping for consistancy

Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews emerged from the away dressing room a very happy man on Friday night following his side’s 3-0 win against Waterford United.

Second half goals from Dinny Corcoran, David Cassidy and Philip Gorman sealed a comprehensive win for the Drumcondra side. Speaking to Extratime after the game, Mathews described his side’s performance as “very good”.

“We played really well particularly in the second half. It’s a difficult place to come to at any stage, particularly given Waterford’s elevated position in the league”, Mathews said. “We knew we had to win to give ourselves a chance of getting back into that mix for the playoff spots. We scored three good goals and defended well so it was very pleasing.”

The three points keeps Shelbourne in the mix for a play-off spot come the end of the season, but Mathews was not getting carried away with the win.

“We can only do our own thing week in week out. We just look to the next game which is against Monaghan. We played well last Monday against Bray, won the Leinster Cup, played well here tonight and got the three points. It’s all about getting the performances week in week out and if we win enough games, and we win the right games, then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the season. There’s a lot of football to be played between now and the end of the year.”

“Our attitude tonight was spot on, our work rate was very, very good and I thought we played some good football, particularly in the last third when we scored some good goals.”

Mathews, only recently appointed Shelbourne manager, was also delighted with the supporters that made the trip to the game, and emphasised their importance for the players.

“They were very, very good”, Mathews said. “They travelled down to Mervue a couple of weeks ago and got behind us, good crowd last week and good crowd against Derry. If we can keep playing like that, they’ll come and watch us. We’d like to see them coming to Tolka next week, hopefully put the same type of performance on. I think from the player’s point of view, they acknowledge the support the people have given them week in week out. They’ve responded tonight with a very good performance against a top side.”

With Shelbourne having gone through some difficult times over the last decade, Mathews paid tribute to the people behind the club and their continued work.

“It’s a great club. Some great people here, they were here when I was here ten years ago and they are still here. Things have changed but the same people have the club at heart. They’ve worked very hard to maintain the club in difficult circumstances over the last couple of years.”