The Blues return to the RSC this evening to host Treaty United, following two consecutive weeks on the road.
Facing Longford in Bishopsgate last weekend, the Blues failed to score - for the first time in four games - and the likely explanation is a simple one. Ronan Coughlan did not play.
No Coughlan, no goal
The striker has been in supreme form so far this season, scoring 18 goals to date. When he was not available due to suspension the impact was immediate and clear to see.
Assistant first-team coach Alan Reynolds said after the game that they just couldn't break down Longford. The side was badly missing their star goal-getter. Reynolds reminds us that being without Coughlan was always going to prove challenging considering the impact he has had up to now.
"He's [Ronan Coughlan] been outstanding for us, so possibly missed him on the night - there's no question we missed him. Look, it is what it is. We're going to get that as the season goes on, but the player's attitude has been really good," Reynolds noted.
A hectic bank holiday
The result leaves the Blues 12 points off the top of the table heading into a bank holiday weekend with two games to consider.
Treaty come to town this evening, while Waterford head to Mounthawk Park to face Kerry on Monday afternoon.
Treaty have lost their last two games, but prior to that were on a four-game winning run, racking up 12 goals in those four wins while only conceding once. Their two losses to Galway and Finn Harps however saw the Limerick outfit shipping 3 goals in both outings while failing to score in each.
Tired legs?
The training regime has increased considerably since Keith Long came to the RSC and it's forgivable that the players have shown signs of tiredness considering the performances they have offered in Long's time at the helm.
Reynolds tells WLR Sport that the small squad size is a factor with limited rotation in the squad week on week.
"The intensity of training has gone up a level as well, so at some stage that's going to catch up with you and maybe on Saturday that was the case. Fellas were a little bit tired and a little bit flat, but they have been excellent up to that," said Reynolds.
Getting back on the horse
While they may have had the perfect weather for training this past week, it has not all been sunshine and roses. Both players and management alike are seeking to make amends for their last showing and get back to winning ways.
Reynolds says all eyes have been focused on being as well prepared for Treaty as possible.
"We got the lads back in and got working. I suppose they're keen to address it as well. Even though it was a defeat, we felt that we left two points behind us...we'll be looking forward to being back at home because we felt that Cobh was our best performance - the pitch, the fans, everything was just perfect on the night, so we'll be hoping for more of the same."
We'll have updates on air this evening from the RSC, thanks to Ray Scott and we will live commentary of the game with Kerry on Monday from 3.45 pm.
