"A lot of credit has to go to Bohemians. They made it very difficult for us. I do not think we have an easy game against them. We knew the game would be tight and if we could keep a clean sheet it might come down to one chance. We asked them to be patient and to keep believing and somebody would step up and take the chance. Harpel and Faz were not getting a lot of the ball and they [Bohs] were doing fantastic in the middle, they were really dogged and closed us down quickly."

"It was a scrappy game for 2 teams that like to play football. We kept trying to pass it though and we did not go route one and when we get a chance Mc Tiernan has done very well to stay on his feet. He could have got a free further out but he kept going and got it right on the edge of the box. Harpel Singh, great delivery and Adam Hughes does what he is good at, being in the right place at the right time. As a right sided midfielder that is Adam Hughes' 5th goal of the season and that is a fantastic return for a midfielder."

Mc Tiernan will now be pushing for a starting role against the Champions, Cork City, this Tuesday night in the Showgrounds. Connor had this to say on the kind of selection headache a manager loves.

"Do you change a winning team?? I thought Brian Cash worked very hard in the 1st half and had a couple of half chances. Paul is coming back to full fitness and he will be challenging but that’s just gives me a job as manager. I have got a problem now that I did not have at the start of the season with Cash and Choice coming in. We have got to make selections. It should not be predictable and when it gets predictable you are finished. People get comfortable and they lose their edge and nobody under my tenure will ever be comfortable"

There certainly was a better atmosphere at the Showgrounds last Saturday and Connor was happy to praise the crowds effort in boosting the team and at the same time had some of advice for the people in charge of the clubs and Eircom League.

"Everybody keeps knocking the Eircom League. That crowd tonight was excellent, they got behind the team. At times they were tense and nervous but that is only because they want the team to win and I understand that. You have got to commend them.

“Clubs need to look how they can promote the game. What can we do to get crowds in? Maybe entertainment before a match or entertainment at half time. We have got to do something to bring the younger people into the game"

Next up for Rovers is possibly their biggest game of the season so far,at home to the team below them in the league at the present time, Cork City. Connor knows it will not be easy but says the thought of being 5 points ahead of the Eircom League Champions is "massive"
 
"Now we can start concentrating on Cork. Yes a win Tuesday would be fantastic because I think a win Tuesday night would make it very hard for Cork to catch us.G ames in hand? I don't care, you have to get the points in the bag. A win on Tuesday  night would boost the confidence of not just the football club but the town immensely. Cork won’t fancy coming here but we know it is going to be difficult. I am sure they are dying for the season to get back on the road again so it makes for an interesting night"

Sligo Rovers vs Cork City ,Tuesday 12th September, Showgrounds, kick off 8.00pm

By Rory Houston