Full steam ahead for Lilywhites
STEPHEN KENNY says it’s pedal to the metal for Dundalk during the summer break. He revealed he will not be giving players the week off when the break kicks in after Friday’s clash with Cork City. Dundalk host the Rebels at Oriel Park in the latest installment of their mouthwatering rivalry but City enjoy a remarkable 15-point lead. But with a Champions League campaign looming large in July, Kenny doesn’t want any let up having hit good form. “We’re not taking a break - we’re going on a training camp for a few days and to get ourselves right,” he said. “We’ll take a couple of days off but we’re serious about getting ready to prepare for the next few weeks after that. “We need to get ourselves ready for the five games straight after the break and then the Champions League qualifiers.” Last season Dundalk spent the break at a warm-weather camp in Portugal but awkwardly ended up at the same resort as title rivals Cork. But this time the Lilywhites are staying in Ireland, although Kenny was keeping the location a secret. Sizing up Friday’s top-two clash, Kenny said: “We’re a long way behind, there’s no doubt about that. There’s nothing we can do about that now. We’re in this position, we’ll prepare well and just make sure we’re ready for next week. “Every match for the last 10 weeks, people have been telling me they are ‘must-win’ games. “We’re not making any great statements that we’re going to catch them - what we have to focus on is trying to win matches.”