Lorcan Fitzgerald: 'It's not only about the 11 - it's the 20 who are involved that will make the difference'

Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park

Shelbourne vice-captain Lorcan Fitzgerald admits neither he nor his teammates did not recommence their Premier Division campaign in the way they would have liked.

The Reds fell to defeat against John Sheridan’s Waterford this afternoon, with John Martin’s strike punishing a sloppy Shels defensive display.

Fitzgerald – making just his second start of the season – was naturally disappointed with the result that went against the Reds.

“We didn’t really go after our game plan in the first-half. We were a bit better in the second half but ultimately it wasn’t the start we wanted to start off with,” the 31-year-old told extratime.com.

“It was a scrappy goal [to concede] and it came from our set play as well. We want to score from our set plays and there was a lot of plays that unfolded from that. We’ll need to improve on that.”

However, the 2019 First Division winner took solace from the Reds second-half efforts, in which they gained more of a foothold in the game.

Manager Ian Morris used all five allowable substitutes and, with a gruelling trip to Finn Harps on Tuesday night on the cards, utilising the full squad will be vitally important.

“I thought we were the better team in the second half. We pinned them back and we had a few half-chances.

“I wouldn’t say we created clear-cut chances. We’ve got a game on Tuesday and we just have to look forward now to get the result we want.

“We’ve got a great squad and they’re all chomping at the bit to play. The substitutes came on and made a huge difference for us and that’s what we need.

“It’s not going to [only] be [about] the eleven, it’s going to be [the] 20 who are involved that will make the difference.”

Manager Morris handed debuts to teenage pair Brian McManus and Alex Cetiner this afternoon – and the full-back has been impressed with how both have handled their initial period with the Reds first-team.

“They’re young and they’re enthusiastic,” he said. “They have shown great belief in their own ability and they’re two good lads.

“They want to work hard, and they want to feed into what we’re trying to do at this club. They worked hard in pre-season and they got their just rewards with a start.

“Obviously, it’s not the result they wanted but hopefully there will be plenty more to come from them.”

While it was great to back for the experienced Dubliner, he did note that he would prefer the stands to be full at Tolka Park.

“I was buzzing to get back out [playing] but you want the stands full. You want the fans here to create an atmosphere. But it’s [obviously not possible with] the current climate we’re in.

“We have to get on with it now for the foreseeable future but it’s great to be back out there.”

He finished: “We want to win every game, and we wanted to win today. It hasn’t happened like that for us, but we’ll regroup, train Monday and go up to play Harps on Tuesday looking to get the three points.”