Shelbourne boss Ian Morris: 'We won't be getting too excited - we have to go to Cobh next week and we'll see where that takes us'

Andrew Dempsey reports from Tolka Park

Shelbourne manager Ian Morris insists his side will keep their feet firmly on the ground despite extending their lead at the top of the First Division table to eight points on Friday evening.

The Reds secured a 5-2 win over bottom of the table Wexford thank to goals from Ciaran Kilduff, Ryan Brennan and Jaze Kabia.  

“We’re eight pints clear and there’s still fifteen to play for. We won’t be getting too excited – we have to go to Cobh next week and we’ll see that takes us,” the Shels boss told extratime.ie.

“Stranger things have happened in football; I’ve been around long enough to know that. If you take your foot off the pedal, you’ll get hurt so we’ll look at Cobh next week and that’s all we can do.  

“We talk about the approach when we go into games and we speak about us moving the ball quickly and having possession with a bit of a purpose – not just playing the ball around for no sake.

“I’m really pleased with the result, I thought we were good for the result if you take out the first fifteen minutes of the second half.”

Having led by three just before the break, Shels almost were pegged back by the hour mark after some lax defending was punished by the alert Danny Furlong.

“We went from three nil up to three-two within the space of a few minutes and there’s only a goal in the game at that stage.

“Things can flip with them being a little bit ahead of steam but that comes with the territory when teams come here. It’s a nice pitch and teams enjoy coming here.

“Every team will have a spell in a game, but we came through it and I thought the group showed their character. It’s a good changing room and they’re getting all they deserve.”

The former Bohemians defender concluded by praising home debutants Denzil Fernandes and Jaze Kabia.

“Denzil put himself in a great position to start next week and that just shows the competition for places.

“Everyone has to contribute, and you have to effect games and luckily we have a good squad to do that.

“The signings of Jaze and Denzil have freshened things up. It has given others a little spark and kick up the backside and you can see that in the quality.”