St. Patrick's Athletic forward Gary Shaw was pleased that his side saw out a crucial 1-0 win over Derry City in the Premier Division on Tuesday night. A first-half Kevin Toner header was enough to secure the three points but Saints needed a stubbor
St. Patrick's Athletic forward Gary Shaw was pleased that his side saw out a crucial 1-0 win over Derry City in the Premier Division on Tuesday night.
A first-half Kevin Toner header was enough to secure the three points but Saints needed a stubborn defensive display to keep the Candystripes at bay. Despite some nervy moments, Shaw was happy to get the win and move to within one point of their opponents in fourth place in the table.
"Against a team around us we need to be picking up points especially at home and we were lucky enough in the end," he said.
"There were a few late chances for them and we want to start putting games away. It was getting a bit nervy at times for us in the second half but we got the three points and we move on to a big game on Friday against Dundalk."
After signing from Shamrock Rovers over the winter, Shaw began life under manager Harry Kenny with a number of appearances from the bench but has since established himself, starting eight of the last nine Premier Division games.
It was his cross that provided Darragh Markey's goal in Friday's 1-1 draw with Bohemians and he put in another good shift against Derry, receiving a warm reception from the Richmond Park crowd when substituted in the second-half.
Shaw feels that his hard work and team ethic is paying off and hopes to remain a key part of Kenny's starting XI.
"I'm one of those players, I suppose I wouldn't be a poacher but I'm a hard worker, I'm honest and I'll do my bit for the team.
"I'll get around the pitch and if it's scoring or setting up goals I'll give everything. Harry is playing me and he'll keep playing me if I keep working hard. That's just the way it is so I look forward now to Friday."
On Friday, Saints will travel to Dundalk to face the league leaders and having already beaten them at home this season, Shaw sees no reason why they can't repeat the feat.
"There'll be a lot of pressure on them. Obviously they're top of the table but they had a bit of a dodgy start. They've picked up their form now but we'll go there with no fear.
"We'll have a game plan and they'll have one as well. We'll go and give it everything. We beat them already this season and we can definitely go and do it again."
Dundalk v St. Pat's takes place this Friday night at Oriel Park.
