Stephen Kenny was full of praise for his Dundalk side following coming from behind to clinch victory over a hard working and resolute St Patrick’s Athletic, a second half performance which saw a brace from Patrick Hoban and a rare goal from Chris Shi
Stephen Kenny was full of praise for his Dundalk side following coming from behind to clinch victory over a hard working and resolute St Patrick’s Athletic, a second half performance which saw a brace from Patrick Hoban and a rare goal from Chris Shields give the Lilywhites a four point lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity league.
“It was a terrific victory we are delighted, it was very tough we were 1-0 down at half time in Inchicore and St Patricks shooting in the Camac End, the players showed immense character to come back and win 3-1. They have really showed what they are made of.”
Patrick Hoban and Michael Duffy’s work rate came into great praise as the strike notched his 20th and 21st goal of the season. On his 200th league appearance for Dundalk Chris Shields notched a vital goal to send Dundalk on their way for the three points.
“Patrick Hoban robbed Lee Desmond and Michael Duffy did really well to set up Hoban and it was a great strike to the bottom corner, he rifled it in, the second goal was brilliant it was a great run and Chris Shields he was supposed to be playing in the back four and he is out on the right wing making a 60 yard over lap and he hammers it into the far corner so it doesn’t get much better that.”
On a week where there was press tit for tat in relation to Dundalk FC’s apparent big spending, the Dundalk manager felt it was right to put a few aspects to the signings of duo Patrick McEleney and Georgie Kelly to bed. Shamrock Rovers and Cork City bosses Stephen Bradley and John Caulfield spoke that about how Dundalk’s financial clout was broadening the gap.
“I felt on Stephen Bradley, I didn’t understand his argument because they sent a delegation to Oldham to do a deal and agreed a fee (for Patrick McEleney) and obviously we were in a dilemma and we wanted Patrick and Patrick only wanted to come to here (Dundalk), he didn’t want to go to Shamrock Rovers, he wanted to come here, so the dilemma is, either let him go or sign him.
“What people forget about Patrick helped us earn over 7 million and he was very influential in doing that, so for us it was without doubt great business, he is one of the most exciting players in the league in modern times, he is worth the admission money to watch him.
“So I think his criticism to me didn’t make sense at all, it was just a bit of bravado and it was playing to the gallery. I felt he wanted to criticise Dundalk, have a go at Dundalk and to keep people happy."
