O'Conor pleased with response to Tallaght thrashing

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Drogheda United midfielder Paul O’Conor believes that his team can take pride in the way that the bounced back from Setanta Cup disappointment on Saturday afternoon to claim all three points against Limerick on Tuesday evening.

 

The Drogs suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat in the final of the competition at the hands of Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium, but managed to respond with victory in Thomond Park – with O’Conor grabbing the only goal of the game.

 

Speaking to ExtraTime.ie in an exclusive interview, the midfielder gave his reaction to a busy few days for everyone involved with the Louth club.

 

“That [the 7-1 defeat] was a massive disappointment and there’s no hiding away from it. We were devastated of course, but we have to be realistic and admit that we let ourselves down, but we did have a good season in the competition and we beat some good teams along the way.

 

“The really disappointing thing was that we didn’t show up on the day, although Rovers were brilliant and have to be given credit for that. So we were very disappointed, but now we can afford to be happy with the way we responded.



 

“To bounce back from that defeat and days later head down to Limerick and pick up three points in what was never going to be an easy task, I think we can be proud of ourselves.”

 

Paul joined the club just prior to this season from UCD, the side which he began his League of Ireland career with. He believed that his start to life at Hunky Dory’s Park has been solid if unspectacular, and gives them good ground to build on.

 

“It’s going pretty well. Personally I didn’t get off to the greatest start - I had one or two not so great games - but it’s been an okay season. We’d like to be a bit further up the table then we are and I think we have drawn too many games, but it’s been okay.



 

“I wouldn’t say it’s been brilliant but it’s been a decent start, and if we go into the second round of the season turning some of those draws into wins, we’ll soon see ourselves moving up the table to where we want to be.”

 

The midfielder is an integral part of any football team, and often has a key influence in the way the side plays. How did O’Conor adjust from the tiki-taka playing style employed at UCD to the quicker and more direct philosophy at his new club?

 

“Obviously UCD are well known for their passing and keeping the ball for large parts of the game and we’ve been doing it as well, but I do think there is a bit of a difference.

 

“We don’t just win the ball and then look to release it up the field as quickly as possible though. We have been trying to play together as a team.

 

“For me as a midfielder it will take a bit of time to get used to my team mates and how the team plays as a unit or what your part is in it, but the more games you play the more comfortable you’ll get playing as a team.”

 

Another difference between the two clubs is the infrastructure of them. While UCD are funded by the university and supplied players from it, Drogheda are solely a football club that stands on their own two feet.

 

“There’s definitely a bit of a difference alright. As you said Drogheda are solely a football club, and there’s definitely more expectation that comes with that.

 

“With UCD you were expected to maintain your Premier Division status, whereas here you need to be near the top end of the table trying to qualify for European competition and doing well on all fronts.

 

“But at the end of the day everybody wants to do well. UCD as a club will be looking to get to the highest level and that’s always been the main aim for everybody, to achieve the goals you set out at the start of the season.”

 

O'Conor outlined his expectations for Drogheda United this season, hopeful of further cup runs, both in the FAI and the EA Sports Cup (which kicks off on Monday).

 

“We certainly want to be within the European spots, that’s the aim. The club finished second last year so we’re always going to want to push up the table and challenge for silverware.

 

“We want to defend the EA Sports Cup and go on another cup run, as well as doing well in the league and hopefully getting ourselves into the top three - that’s the priority.”