Kenny hails 'terrific' McEleney
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Derry City manager Stephen Kenny was full of praise for his team and match winner Paddy McEleney in particular, following their 1-0 win against Bohemians at Dalymount park on Friday night.
“It was a tough game. We had to adjust to the change in system after losing our wingers James McClean and Gareth McGlynn. I thought we deserved the win. I thought Patrick McEleney was terrific. He is only 18 years of age. He showed great inventiveness in the back heel for the goal.”
Kenny also felt that his side should have had a penalty late on. “I thought we should have had a certain penalty. McEleney was taking down. It would have been a penalty, plus a man sent off, which maybe would have been the end of the game but it wasn't given.”
The City boss also praised the efforts of Bohs and admitted that he was relieved that Christopher Forrester's late volley went wide.“Bohs players are very committed. You know that they are going to keep going and get chances. We just hope that we are going to defend well. Our defenders got good blocks in. Forrester nearly equalized with that chance at the end. My heart was in my mouth for that one. To come here and win is difficult and we are just glad to get the victory.”
The result left the Candystripes three points clear of nearest challengers Shamrock Rovers, although the Hoops have two games in hand. Kenny though admitted that he is only focusing on his own team in the middle of some difficult games.
“We know that Shamrock Rovers have games in hand. We have a lot to do to even get parity. We are just focusing on ourselves. We have four real tough games in a row. We've played Pats and Bohs and then we are away to Sligo in the League Cup on Tuesday and then in League the following week. They are real tough games also and we'll prepare for them” added Kenny.
“It was a tough game. We had to adjust to the change in system after losing our wingers James McClean and Gareth McGlynn. I thought we deserved the win. I thought Patrick McEleney was terrific. He is only 18 years of age. He showed great inventiveness in the back heel for the goal.”
Kenny also felt that his side should have had a penalty late on. “I thought we should have had a certain penalty. McEleney was taking down. It would have been a penalty, plus a man sent off, which maybe would have been the end of the game but it wasn't given.”
The City boss also praised the efforts of Bohs and admitted that he was relieved that Christopher Forrester's late volley went wide.“Bohs players are very committed. You know that they are going to keep going and get chances. We just hope that we are going to defend well. Our defenders got good blocks in. Forrester nearly equalized with that chance at the end. My heart was in my mouth for that one. To come here and win is difficult and we are just glad to get the victory.”
The result left the Candystripes three points clear of nearest challengers Shamrock Rovers, although the Hoops have two games in hand. Kenny though admitted that he is only focusing on his own team in the middle of some difficult games.
“We know that Shamrock Rovers have games in hand. We have a lot to do to even get parity. We are just focusing on ourselves. We have four real tough games in a row. We've played Pats and Bohs and then we are away to Sligo in the League Cup on Tuesday and then in League the following week. They are real tough games also and we'll prepare for them” added Kenny.
