City 2-1 Longford - ratings

That's more like it. After last week's confidence-sapping defeat, we needed a big performance and a big result from this game to keep in touch. That we got both is testament to the motivational abilities of John Gill and his staff. I think some of us (ahem) have been a little naive in seeing false dawns, false twilights and turning points at various stages of this season. The fact is, the Premier Division is one long war of attrition, and one week's result generally counts for jack the following week. That said, we can and must take something from Waterford next week; we probably won't have a better opportunity to gain three points on the road all season.

Brendan Kennedy: 7
Had very little to do, in truth. When he was called upon to fold up his deckchair, put down his magazine and deal with a cross, he did so calmly and comfortably.

Tony O'Connor: 6.5
Hmm, bit of a dodgy first half display from Toccy on his return to eircom League action. Shook off the rust in the second half, and almost put the penultimate touch to a goal of the season contender, flashing a teasing ball across the face of goal after excellent build-up play.

Keith Foy: 7
Big improvement over his last performance. Needs to play to the whistle, though. Good delivery from dead-ball situations.

Derek Griffin: 8
At last, a headed goal from a set-piece! Our first of the seaon? I rather think it was. Griff came out on top of a bruising battle with Eric Lavine. One of those "I'm glad he's on our side" players. Even so, I'm scared of him.

Chris Deans: 9 - Man of the Match
What a find! The youngster slotted into a rejigged back line and immediately took charge. His full debut looked set to end prematurely as he hobbled back to the dressing room at half-time, having shipped a heavy knock moments earlier. True to form, however, the indomitable Deans emerged for the second half, and threw himself back into the fray with gusto. A fine defender who'll captain a football club by the time he's 25.

Dave McGill: 7
Worked hard and showed some nice touches. An excellent addition to the squad.

Cathal O'Connor: 7.5
Circumstances (namely, the enforced absence of Killian Brennan) forced Cottsy out onto the left, where his impact was understandably lessened but still considerable. Fantastic goal-line clearance early in the second half kept the game scoreless when the concession of a goal might have had disastrous consequences.

Jason Colwell: 7
Put himself about and helped establish a platform for those vital counter-attacks.

Dom Tierney: 6
Still looks to be lacking a bit of sharpness, but kept plugging away.

Gary O'Neill: 8.5
Almost created a goal with an adhesive-footed dribble along the byline just before the break, and reprised the trick to set up Philly's crucial opener on 53 minutes. Didn't have much joy when balls were being pinged towards his head and glanced away by a towering Longford defence, but once we got the ball down and started to play, Gary's influence grew exponentially.

Philly Hughes: 7.5
Utterly, utterly game as ever, but largely frustrated until he popped up in precisely the right place to fire City in front. Doesn't perhaps possess the all-around ability of Gary O'Neill, but give him a clear sight of goal anywhere in the box and he's lethal.

SUBS

Barry Burke, Robbie Collins and Paul Crowley not on long enough to rate.