‘One eye on the people behind’
HARRY KENNY proved that men can multitask on Monday evening as he witnessed Bohemians v Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park whilst being glued to events at Tallaght Stadium via his mobile phone.
Bohs came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 and move nine points clear of Bray Wanders but Shamrock Rovers’ success over Wexford Youths ensured Bray maintained their two-point gap over the Youths.
Kenny insists that he is more focussed on shaking off Youths than chasing a higher place and even last Wednesday’s dizzying triumph over Dundalk hasn’t altered his view.
Having gone a goal down, Kenny was left worried but goals from Mark Salmon and Karl Moore left Kenny on cloud nine.
“It was fantastic. I was absolutely delighted with it. In the first half, it was a bit dodgy. It was all them. They missed a few chances but they played very well. We probably gave them too much respect and we got away with it in the first half.
“The goal just before half time (for us) was a bonus. We had a chat about it at half time and decided to show them what we could do and to stop showing them so much respect. We came out very well in the second half and played well and I genuinely think we deserved to win.
“With Ryan missing and Kelly and Lewis and young Darragh missing, yeah, I was thinking ‘feck, we’re a goal down after 11 minutes’. I was thinking the worst but we survived and we’re good at that! We’ve good character in the team and fellas dig in. I’m delighted with the attitude and the application of the boys. It was great.”
The Seagulls now climb to within three points of ninth placed Finn Harps but Youths’ victory over Longford Town over the
weekend was a more pressing matter for the man in the Carlisle Grounds dugout. And Kenny says all credit for Bray’s incredible form belongs to the players.
“People are talking about going up the table, I’ve one eye on the people behind me.
“You’re dead right, it’s only two points. It’s not points in the bag (our games in hand), we have to go out and actually win them games and wins or any points of any kind are very hard to come by in this league.
“There is a great work ethic and we’re organised. There’s people fighting for each other and covering each other and anyone who has come into the team is fighting to hold onto a place. That’s a good thing. The couple of new signings have helped no end.
“Happy with the boys coming in, it keeps people on their toes. It keeps the competition going. Once you’ve a bit of competition for places you can see the quality of the performances in training lifted and the temp is very, very good.”
For Friday’s trip to Galway, Ryan Brennan, Darragh Noone, Andrew Lewis, Dean Kelly and Conor Earley remain absent, with Alan McNally also struggling with a back problem. One man who will definitely not feature is Mick Daly.
The former Drogs captain parted ways with the club this week and will now have back surgery. Despite not having kicked a ball this season, Wanderers will welcome Daly back to seaside venue in 2017 if he proves his fitness.
“Mick was one of the profile signings that we had at the beginning of the season.
“We were hoping that he would come through but he got bad news during the week. He’s a great fella, a lovely fella and he’s come to an agreement with the club that he’d walk away this season and if he can get back next season, he’ll be welcomed with open arms.”