Dundalk will have big say in title, says Hoops’ Grace
LEE Grace isn’t buying the line peddled by Dundalk’s Chris Shields that the champions have run their SSE Airtricity League race. Both side were held to draws last time out but leaders Rovers remain eight points clear of the Louth outfit who are in third. ‘Ah look, they’re going to say that aren’t they? They’ll try to suck us in. But there is a long way to go and anything can happen,’ said the Shamrock Rovers central defender, who is also wary of improving Bohs in this shortened 18-game season. ‘Bohs are not going away either because they are putting in performances every week and getting results.’ Rovers jumped from the blocks in 2019 but then had a speed wobble in mid-season to allow Dundalk peg them back. This term, they have looked more resolute and driven. ‘Last year we were a good few points ahead but Dundalk had the games in hand,’ said Grace. ‘You could say we probably took the foot off the gas a little bit, I don’t know.’ Approaching the half-way mark, Grace and Co are not looking beyond Friday, when Shelbourne visit Tallaght Stadium. Grace was frustrated by Sunday’s draw away to St Pat’s who parked the bus for most of the second half and chiselled out a point. ‘They dug in and a lot of teams are doing that at the moment, just digging in. Bodies on the line. But we have to find a way to break that down ‘Since the restart we have been top class. We’re setting standards for ourselves all of the time and we’re trying to meet them week after week.’ With the Europa League game against Ilves Tampere on Thursday week, and the Extra.ie FAI Cup to come against Cork City, Stephen Bradley will need all his resources as the fixtures come thick and fast.