Alan Kirby interview in the people today
Sunday People 18th April 2004
Alan Kirby reckons that Longford Town need to be more like Shelbourne in order to kickoff their season.
Town are currently languishing second from bottom in the table having being tipped for big things after last years successes.
Kirby admits that they may have slackened off after lifting the FAI Cup title for the frst time ever and finishing fourth in the league.
It was a fairytale ending to a perfect ending to a perfect season for the midlands outfit.
But as the door on the trophy cabinet the hard work was already beginning.
But thus far Longford seem to lack hunger needed to rejoin the hunt for more siverware.
They drew 1-1 with Shels on Friday, a creditable result considering it was a top versus bottom clash.
Kirby explained the downturn this season and admitted "We havent adapted the mentality of Shelbourne.We probably didnt react as we should have in terms of results and performances after winning the cup. You look at Shels and Bohs as well and when they win something they dont sit on their laurels, they go out even harder the next season.When you win something you've got to immediately strive for the next level.I think we've been slow to better ourselves and its probably cost us."
Most players will play the "its only early days" card at this stage of this season.But Kirby 26, a former Aston Villa midfielder with a high reputation in the game,is honest about the situation.
"This is certainly not where we planned to be and the time is ticking by" he said. "In two more games we'll have completed the first round of games this season. Thats a quarter of this season gone and we've still have got a lot of work to do"
Taking a point from Tolka Park perhaps was a step in the right direction.Goal machine Jason Byrne struck after nine minutes to put Shels in front but Barry ferguson overcame his penalty kick heartache in the past to convert a second-half equaliser.
"It was definitely a point gained because we havent being playing particularly well. Considering our postion and coming to the home of the Champions it was a bit daunting but we acquitted well. It was tough but the result gives us a lot of confidence.We could have thrown the towel but we didnt and we got our reward with our equaliser".
Despite their lowly standing at present, second from bottom, Kirby beleves Toen can still pick thing up and launch a title challenge.
He reckons its a big task to finish first or second but a place in the top three is not out of their depth.
Theres also a Fai cup title to defend while they'll want to go one better than their defeat in the League Cup Final too.
"Its all above belief and not panicking and we know we'll improve". he said.
"we finished fourth last year in the league and we always try to improve. We're aiming to finish third or better this season and there's no reASON we can't do that. We've got the players and everything at the club is first class. In this league a couple of wins shoots you up the table and thats what we need. We've just to look at ourselves now and make sure that we get better in all competitions"
