DUNDALK ARE ON DEFENSIVE
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DUNDALK are still without a home goal this season but, with two former defenders in the dugout, at least they have a clean sheet to show for their efforts against St Patrick’s Athletic.
Brian Gartland and Liam Burns have taken up the reins on a caretaker basis while a permanent replacement is sought for Stephen O’donnell.
And with 15 goals conceded in their previous eight games, including four away to Derry City last week, shoring up things at the back was a priority for the temporary gaffers.
If they were happy to keep their opponents scoreless, imagine how former striker Jon Daly, in the opposite dugout, felt about the chances his side missed last night.
Conor Keeley and Ireland underage striker Mason Melia both spurned glorious chances either side of half-time to take all three points back down the M1.
Towards the end of n uneventful first-half, the unmarked Keeley got his head to Brandon Kavanagh’s corner but failed to find the target from five yards.
Then, 10 minutes into the second-half, midfielder Jamie Lennon was well inside his own half when he spotted the run of teenager Melia.
His ball behind the Dundalk defence was inch perfect, but the same couldn’t be said for Melia’s shot, which he drove over the bar with just goalkeeper George Shelvey to beat.
The ghosts of past glories were never far from the fray last night, particularly with the presence of former Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny in the stands.
In the dugout that he occupied for six seasons was his former centrehalf Gartland, while on the pitch were Horgan, Andy Boyle, Robbie Benson and John Mountney – all veterans of his time in charge.
Despite their 15 Premier Division titles between them, they now find themselves scrapping at the bottom of the table.