JAMIE HARDY
Dundalk ace Mcgrath unfazed by Mceleney’s return as he vows to fight for his place
Dundalk v Bohemians Oriel Park, tomorrow 7pm
JAMIE MCGRATH insists he does not feel threatened by Patrick Mceleney’s return to Dundalk.
Mceleney made his competitive bow for the Lilywhites off the bench in Thursday’s 0-0 Europa League draw with AEK Larnaca, having returned to the club after a brief spell with Oldham.
When Mceleney left for England, Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny collared Mcgrath during pre-season and challenged the 21-year-old to step up and fill the No10 void. And Mcgrath has delivered, turning in a number of eyecatching displays this season as the Lilywhites chase down a league title and European progress. Mceleney (inset) hasn’t come back to Oriel Park to warm the bench but Mcgrath reckons the 25-year-old’s return will only improve his own game.
Asked if he was concerned about the increased competition for places behind the lone striker Pat Hoban, Mcgrath said: “Ah no, not at all. I’m sure the gaffer will have a plan to fit us all in the team.
“Pat is a quality player and training with him every day you can only learn from him.
“Even before he came back, the quality in the squad was top notch.
“You can only be positive with Pat coming back, learning things off him in training and seeing things that not many other players do. But no, there’s nothing to be worried about from my end.”
Dundalk host Bohemians in the league tomorrow night before flying out to Cyprus on Tuesday for Thursday’s second-leg against Larnaca and the tie is on a knife edge.
Mcgrath said: “It’s going to be tricky out there but we’re going to have no fears.”
Dundalk have scored in 10 of their last 11 European away games under Kenny and Mcgrath takes great comfort in that – but knows the Lilywhites have to improve in the final third from the first-leg.
“We know we can score anywhere and if we get one, they have to score two – 0-0 at home is not the worst result,” he said.
“We’d have liked to win the match but the most important thing is we didn’t concede.
“They like to keep possession and they’re very good at doing that.
“They create overloads at the back but even with their possession, I don’t think they cut us open. Now we know what we’re up against and it’ll be a good test.
“I don’t think we were at our best going forward in the first-leg.
“In the past we’ve been very clinical but out there they might play a bit more open so that’ll suit us.”