On the positives

phase corner but we believed that we’d get the next goal - it was crucial - but we got it and we made a right game of it. There was a belief in us that we could get something out of the game but the third goal killed us.”

The defeat to Dundalk means Bray remain nine points adrift of ninth placed Limerick with seven matches remaining but as Cronin points out, Wanderers 76 goals conceded and 19 goals scored - both the worst tallies in the league - make the task even more improbable.

“Is it on the agenda? I will always say once it’s mathematically possible; yes...can we catch Limerick? It’s going to be difficult. There’s goal difference to be thought of as well as the nine points - that will make it 10 points. It’d want to be some turnaround but we’ll give it a go.”

When faced with a mountain like that, it would be understandable for players to completely give up hope but Cronin is finding it easier than expect to keep up morale.

“We’ve discussed certain aspect of that (off-field problems) and it’s all in the past now. We can’t change what’s gone before - that’s life - is it difficult to motivate them? When you come in at the start it’s difficult considering what’s gone on before and they’ve had a few changes of managers and so on but I’ve told them what I believe in and I’ve seen more than I thought I would (in terms of ability) since coming in...I’m just trying to instil a belief in the group that we can get results whether that’s enough or not but at this stage, as training sessions are going on and games are coming, it’s getting less and less difficult for me to motivate them.”