LATE TRAIT IS REALLY GREAT
Kenny hails return of Dundalk’s never-say-die attitude
STEPHEN KENNY has hailed his Dundalk side for delivering the late, late show that has propelled them back to the top of the table.
A 92nd minute winner against rivals Cork on Friday kept a couple of enviable records going for the Lilywhites as they attempt to win back the crown from the Leesiders.
The 2-1 victory was their ninth win on the spin – and it was also the 10th game in a row Dundalk have scored in the 75th minute or later.
Finishing games strongly became a trademark of Kenny’s team when they won the Premier Division crown from 2014 to 2016. Now holding a two-point lead at the summit, he is pleased that knack is back. Kenny said: “We’ve had three 90th minute winners against Sligo, Waterford and Cork. It’s an important quality, to keep going, the ability to persevere.
“Last season it wasn’t happening as much and then at the start of this season we made a determined effort.
“There was a big changeover of players and a lot of the ones we brought in were younger. This is their second season and they’re starting to understand what it’s about. We’ve never been a team for launching it in the last 10 minutes, hitting it into the box and hoping it gets to someone.
“We believe in what we’re doing, it’s to have the courage to keep going and to keep your composure under pressure. That’s very important.”
Kenny described the victory on Friday in front of Dundalk’s biggest crowd of the season in the same terms. But he admitted: “It wasn’t a complete performance, we’ve played better this year for sure. If Cork had won then you’re four points behind. It is a big three points but nothing is won yet, we know that. Both teams have a lot of tough games and we’ve got to go to Inchicore next week.
“As the games go towards the end of the season, all the teams towards the bottom of the table put in unbelievable efforts to stay up and so the games are getting tougher.”
Meanwhile, Kenny also addressed speculation key man Michael Duffy is wanted by Shamrock Rovers.
He said: “Our players are going to attract interest but I think Michael’s really happy here, in fact I know he is. He has really enjoyed his time here, he’s said it to me.”