Dundalk keen to wrap up new deals after brave effort: Keegan
AFTER what he admits was a “madcap” finish to a whirlwind season, Dundalk coach Shane Keegan says the club will move quickly to tie down their out-ofcontract players.
Dundalk’s season ended with a 4-2 loss to Arsenal at the Aviva Stadium last night. And with Jim Magilton hired as Sporting Director on the eve of their sixth defeat in six group games, the focus now turns to the club’s outof-contract players.
“There will be a step-up in gears over the next few days,” said Keegan, standing in as manager as Filippo Giovagnoli was unable to work from the touchline. “Jim has been brought in and it’s part of his remit, my impression is that he has the capa
bility of getting business done; if we are talking this day next week we will be further along the road.
“It was a suitable game for the season we had, a bit madcap and all over the place, elements you couldn’t write but a hell of a lot to be happy with.
“We have a dressing room full of fellas who are happy with the performance, they put in a serious shift, we had long spells without the ball but we showed a proper attacking threat. To score twice and for Darragh Leahy to go close just before half-time, that could have been interesting if it had gone in.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Folarin Balogun’s cameo and reiterated his desire to keep the teenage forward at the club.
The 19-year-old came off the bench to set up Joe Willock and score one himself.
Eddie Nketiah had given the visitors the lead before a fine long-range strike from Mohamed
Elneny had them two goals up — only for Jordan Flores to pull one back.
Balogun replaced Nketiah after 62 minutes and helped win the game for Arteta’s side, who conceded a second to Sean Hoare in the latter stages.
“He has done really well,” Arteta replied when asked about Balogun’s performance. “Every minute that he has been on that field he has been superb. Today he looked a threat again.
“He scored a goal, he set up another one and he looked really lively and mature on that pitch.
“We want him to stay. He said he wants to stay, so hopefully we can reach an agreement.”