St Pat's ready for European test

Speaking ahead of his sides UEFA Cup Qualifier return leg against Latvian side JFK Olimps, John McDonnell spoke of his sides chances of pushing on from last weeks impressive 1-0 victory in Riga.

“You must respect the team that you are playing. We need to be as much focused as we were down in Cork over the weekend [But] we have good experienced players who are able to cope with these situations.”

“If we can score first I think it will help. Will they come out and look for the goal? If they do come out it will suit us. If they sit back as they did over there, we’re well able for it.”

As far as selection goes, McDonnell is missing a few players, but is happy with what’s available to him, especially with Mark Quigley back.

“We should be ok. Gary O’Neill looks like he’d need another 5/6 days out. [New Signings] Jason Gavin is not eligible, nor is Jaroslaw Bialek. Glen Fitzpatrick didn’t train last week but he looks OK. Mark Quigley is back after being suspended last week so he’s available.”

“It’s going to be difficult because we didn’t see enough of them in the last game,” said McDonnell with reference to an early sending off in the game in Riga, forcing the Latvian side to play with ten men for eighty minutes, thus not really showing what they are capable of.

“I’m trying to make a comparison…They could be like a young U.C.D side. You know, you don’t know which U.C.D side you are going to get. That’s no disrespect to U.C.D.”

“You just can’t take your foot off the pedal, if they score first it’s up in the air but hopefully we get the goal early on,” added McDonnell.

When asked how he felt his side’s European game, along with those of Drogheda and Cork, could help paint a better picture of the League following a tumultuous few days which saw eircom pull out sponsorship of further seasons, McDonnell was honest in the limits of his side’s abilities.

“We have a responsibility to the league, and more so to this club, to do well. We need people to come through the turnstiles and attend games. What happens though, in the administration end of the league is out of our control.”

McDonnell also found time to talk of movement in the Joseph Ndo transfer.

“It’s still up in the air. He is speaking to [Shamrock] Rovers today, Derry showed an interest too, but Rovers are definitely in contact. If everything balances out, Joseph can go. If he does go, no problem. If not, no problem. But at the moment we think it’s best to move him on.”

When asked of any further signings, following the recent captures of Derek O’Brien, Jason Gavin and Jaroslaw Bialek, McDonnell said he is looking at strikers as the deadline nears.

“It becomes hectic now, and we have a game in-between the deadline. Hopefully we should have a centre forward in by Thursday.”

When asked if it’s anyone we know. McDonald grinned and said ‘No.’