For birthday boy Dan Cleary, the thought of losing would most definitely would have spoiled his 22nd birthday. In fact, the concept of losing in any form is very much an ire of his and judging by his early season form, its something he doesn’t want
For birthday boy Dan Cleary, the thought of losing would most definitely would have spoiled his 22nd birthday.
In fact, the concept of losing in any form is very much an ire of his and judging by his early season form, its something he doesn’t want to experience much as a Dundalk player.
Since his close season move the defender was thrusted into the first team against Shamrock Rovers and looks to be cementing his place since then. In a match that was usually made for the experience of Brian Gartland and Stephen O’Donnell, Stephen Kenny opted for Cleary and Jamie McGrath in the starting line up and it proved to be a masterstroke.
“I just want to keep my good performances up and stay in the team, and I want to be playing week in and week out.”
“This is about points on the line, results on the line, titles on the line and take pride in it”
“I want to win, I am a winner. I don’t like losing at all at anything so I love winning and I want to keep winning”
Clearys belief that Dundalk can kick on going into the next series of games in the SSE Airtricity League and continue to be successful was evident following the victory over Cork City.
“I think we should have won that game three or four nil with the chances we had” reflected Cleary. “We held on in the end, we kept a clean sheet and thats our fourth clean sheet and that has shown how strong we are defensively.”
“We are confident in defending and as a back four and a team we are confident in defending, we take pride in it”
Sean Hoare was his central defensive partner last night for the first time but Cleary made light work of the change with Stephen Folan dropping to the bench.
“This was the first time I played with Sean and I thought we played quite well and we bonded quite quickly, you have to adapt quickly in football, you don’t get second chances, you either bond or you don’t”
Dan Cleary is up for the SSE Airtricty League/SWAI Player of the Month following his impressive plays thus far. Stephen Kenny, a man known for his acute man management skills had a quiet word with him before the game which seems to have set the Dubliner up nicely for the match
“We was just saying to enjoy the game and keep doing what I was doing the last two games, just to enjoy it and keep playing the way I am playing.”
