Bohemians' JJ Lunney: 'Going down to ten for the last 30 minutes, we were hanging on in there, so to concede so late is obviously tough to take'

Darryl Geraghty reports from Dalymount Park

Having just seen his side battle bravely for nearly a half an hour with ten men in quite brutal conditions, an understandably dejected JJ Lunney did his best to not let the manner of defeat bring him down.

The midfieder saw Aaron Greene's goal late in injury time earn Shamrock Rovers all three points in their opening weekend Dublin Derby at Dalymount Park.

“Obviously it wasn’t the easiest of games with the conditions out there, but it was the same for both teams, so you just had to go and try play,” the Malahide man told extratime.ie.

“We needed a bit of luck today and it didn’t come our way, so obviously we’re disappointed to lose but we have to move on quick and look forward to next Friday.”

Lunney added: “Going down to ten for the last 30 minutes, we were hanging on in there and doing so well, so to concede so late is obviously tough to take.

“But as I said you have to move on. I thought we did well and probably a draw would have been a fair result.”

Making his second home debut for the Gypsies, having moved to Waterford last season, the talented midfielder was excellent in the heart of his side’s midfield along side new club skipper Keith Buckley.

He admitted a part of him felt like he was never away and returning felt like he was like a home.

“It’s nice to come back to be fair, it does feel like home. No disrespect to Waterford or anything, I had a good season there last year.

“Coming back does feel nice, does feel like I never left and still knowing some of the lads from last time helps too.”

Despite the opening day defeat, Lunney feels like there is a new optimism around Dalymount, or an expectation after last seasons excellent finish.

Adding in the huge excitement of a return to Europe, the Dubliner feels the squad is in a good place, adding: “I think the new lads settled in grand so far.

“With Bohs, it’s always a club that makes players feel welcome.  A lot of that is down to Keith [Long] and Trevor [Croly] who make everyone gel together and all the lads get on well.

“We have a very strong squad this year, have a lot of players, and a lot of players looking to do well.

“Everyone is driving each other on, there’s no heads down so that’s always a good sign. But we need to focus on the next games and pick up as many points as possible.”