On Friday night in Oriel Park, the Dundalk faithful had barely nestled into their seats before they were off them again to celebrate an opening goal from the home side. A brilliant phase of counter attacking football saw a great cross in from the b
On Friday night in Oriel Park, the Dundalk faithful had barely nestled into their seats before they were off them again to celebrate an opening goal from the home side. A brilliant phase of counter attacking football saw a great cross in from the by line from Patrick McEleney, it looked to be flashing wide only for a low diving header from Dundalk striker David McMillan to pounce. The Lilywhites number nine has made a habit of scoring goals of that nature throughout his Dundalk career, sticking his head and body where he knows he might get hurt. Its a trait that some players don’t have these days but not for Dundalk’s silent assassin. It’s been well documented that McMillan juggles his time between football and architecture but his work ethic and sacrifice for the team shows why he is endeared by the fans of Oriel. If you ever meet David off the pitch he is, like the majority of footballers I have dealt with, polite, engaging and always has a word for you, to be honest it’s everything you expect from a UCD graduate. On the pitch he is transformed in a player of hard work, dedication and a habit of being at the right place at the right time. Veremko of BATE Borisov found this out to his determent last August when a cross shot across the face of goal by Dane Massey was headed in by McMillan who pretty much had the ball smash off his face rather than his head. Thats McMillan's forte in that he takes the chances no matter how difficult they look, he reaps the fortune from his bravery. This season he has left off right where he finished last year, his consolation goal against Cork City a few weeks back is exactly what every striker craves, the monkey off their back to get the first goal of the season. Dundalk will need his bravery more than ever if they are to retain the SSE Airtricity League title and to stop the rampant Cork City. What some people tend to forget is that McMillan had an injury disrupted pre season, a blessing in disguise maybe in some quarters as the front man is fresher and ready for the challenges ahead. If Dundalk are to stop Cork City or any other suiters for that matter for the coveted title it will be men like McMillan who will get them there. For now its the chasing game, something McMillan and Dundalk FC no doubt will relish the challenge of.
League of Ireland
