Quinn delighted with CK response after UCC disappointment

With manager Tom O’Connor serving the final game of his three-match suspension, assistant James Quinn once again took media duties following CK’s return to winning ways against Killarney Celtic last Saturday. 

Having openly questioned his side’s performance following last week’s disappointing result against UCC, Quinn was a much happier man after seeing his players respond with a victory and collect three valuable points on home soil.

“Very happy. We’d had two draws in a row, so we wanted to pick up a win, especially at home. It was important to get the three points and we managed to do that.

“There was a disappointed dressing room last week and the players used that frustration throughout the week. Training was electric. Even in a monsoon on Tuesday, the effort and desire were brilliant, and I thought that showed on the pitch today,” Quinn explained.

“One thing this team has never lacked is effort, fight and a desire to win. I thought we were second best in those areas against UCC last week, so we wanted to make sure that wasn’t be the case today. From start to finish, we definitely weren’t second best in any of those categories.” 

While CK have yet to record a clean sheet in the competition, Quinn believes game management is an area where his side can improve after again allowing their opponents back into the contest.

“It’s frustrating, to be fair. We spoke about it in the dressing room afterwards. At 2-0, and even at 2-1 in the second half, we need to control the game a little bit better.

“It was a naive goal to give away. People switched off in the wall and let runners go past them. To be fair to the Killarney lad, it was a great finish into the roof of the net, but it shouldn’t have happened. We know that and we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.” 

Asked why CK have found it difficult to close games out after establishing early leads, Quinn pointed to confidence as a key factor.

“I think there’s a little bit of confidence involved as well. This is a new group and we’re still getting to know each other. When they had a man sent off, all the confidence we’d been looking for suddenly came into us. We relaxed and started playing football,” he said.

“When we did that, they had no answer to us. We ran them around the pitch and dominated the game. That’s what we’re looking for from the start.

“Maybe the players just need a little bit more belief that they can do that no matter who they’re playing against because they have it in their locker. They’re all really good players.” 

One player who continues to grow into the side is Dean Denieffe-Kelly. The defender registered his second assist of the campaign with the free-kick delivery that led to CK’s opening goal and has also contributed two goals in recent weeks.

Asked if he is beginning to find his feet at National League level, Denieffe-Kelly admitted the step up in quality and intensity took some adjustment.

“It’s been fine. The quality is obviously higher and the intensity is a lot more. I feel like I’m very fit at the minute and kind of flying in terms of fitness, and you need that at this level because it’s very physical,” Kelly admitted.

“I’ve got a couple of goals over the last few weeks and I’m disappointed not to get one again today. Getting forward is a big part of my game and I’m always looking to get on the scoresheet.

“But at this level, there are other parts of the game that are just as important. You need to track back and be disciplined with the formation. It’s not just about rampaging forward and trying to get your goal, so there are different elements to the game.” 

While Denieffe-Kelly will take some credit for the delivery which led to the opening goal, he revealed teammate Jordan Harmon deserves much of the praise.

“I actually thought Jordan wanted to hit it, but then he told me to just find Mamadou’s head, which I happily did and we got the goal.

“Mamadou is such a target man at the back post and there was a good bit of space behind their back line. It was just about putting it into an area they didn’t want to defend.

“To be fair to him, he usually gets on the end of everything, and it was a great finish.”

CK United now face a potentially decisive game on Tuesday evening to Waterford side Villa FC.