Frustration was etched all over the face of Stephen O’Donnell as he spoke to the media after Dundalk’s 1-0 defeat at Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.
After coming through the opening 20 minutes, the Lilywhites went on to take charge of the game but they squandered a number of clear openings before the break.
Rovers hit the front when Roberto Lopes took advantage of some poor defending to flash a header past Nathan Shepperd and O’Donnell agreed that Dundalk were undone by their final product at both ends of the pitch.
This is what the Dundalk head coach had to say afterwards.
John Martin sees a header go wide during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match with Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
On a night of frustration…
“The most disappointing thing is the result because we played very well. That’s the best we’ve played here, as good as an away performance as you’ll see. When you’re away to the three-time champions they’re going to have moments but we carried a big, big threat. I’m very happy with the performance but just very frustrated at how we gave up the goal and the result.”
On the chances…
“We should have been going in a couple of goals up at half time. When you create that many opportunities you have to take them. I thought we were really good for the last 25 minutes of the first half and we created lots of really good chances, gilt-edged ones that you really need to score.”
On conceding the goal…
“We were poorly set up for the corner. You can’t give up a goal like that. We knew our jobs set-piece-wise and we didn’t carry them out which is the most frustrating part.”
On bridging the gap…
“I don’t think anyone watching that tonight can say there was a gap. It’s about being clinical and not being sloppy in our defensive duels and organisation.”
