His overall assessment of the game

“I am absolutely delighted. It was a terrific team performance all night. Derry are a good football side. They are strong and have good players. They are not in a false position in the league because the league table does not lie but John is a good manager and they will be a real force in the league next year. I was pleased with the game tonight because with the big crowd you have to lift yourselves and I thought first half we were terrific”.

The lack of depth in his squad

In the second half possibly the size of our squad caught up with us. Faz had not trained all week because of a hamstring injury and he tired and started to give the ball away. We just struggle for one or two players to inject something at crucial times. We defended well and wanted a clean sheet so I am pleased with that. I am really proud of the lads tonight because we asked them to go out and have a go and they didn’t let us down. It is hard to defend players when it seems they don’t try as hard as they could like in Galway but tonight they didn’t let us down and that is important”


The performance of his centre back pairing Gavin Peers and Danny Ventre

“ Danny has done terrific for us at left back yet sometimes people are not happy. Danny Ventre is not a left back. He is a right back come centre half and he would run through a brick wall for this football club. Sometimes fans need to appreciate that. I thought he was outstanding alongside Gavin Peers who again was outstanding”.

The supporters in the last few weeks as attendances continue to top the 2000 mark.

“They have been fantastic. With 9 games to go if someone offered us that at the start we would have been delighted. We have got a little challenge now to keep this going”


The difficult challenge against in form Longford Town

“ Going to Longford  becomes the most difficult match of the season because they are on a smashing run at the moment but with 9 games to go isn’t it great to have something to play for”.

Cook also revealed Danny Ventre will be suspended for the match this Friday but Jamie Mc Kenzie will return from injury. Further team news will be on sligorovers.com later this week.

By Rory Houston