Stephen hits out at media for ‘negative commentary’
STEPHEN O’DONNELL says negative media reports about Dundalk FC are “disgraceful” and “dirtying our own club.”
The Lilywhites gaffer saw his team beat Bohemians 2-0 on Friday night to keep alive their slim hopes of European football next season.
But the post-match discussion was dominated by O’donnell’s belief that a “negative narrative” surrounds his club.
In an extraordinary outburst, the Whites boss said media reports are making it difficult to attract new supporters and players to Oriel Park.
The build-up to Friday’s game was dominated by rumours about the future direction of the club and whether a host of key players would remain for next season.
O’donnell said: “It’s the only club I see where there’s so much speculation and such a negative narrative constantly. “Let’s keep it pure, let’s get the town back to it being purely football.”
“I’m sick of nonsense off the field headlines, because all we’re doing is dirtying our own club, our own town. I don’t see it with any other club in the league.”
He added: “Put this all in – the amount of speculation and negativity around this club – it’s disgraceful, right?”
O’donnell brought in 10 new players over the course of this campaign but while they are still in with a shot for Europe, they suffered disappointing exits in the FAI Cup and UEFA Europa Conference League.
“When we win a game, it’s always a negative narrative of the opposition were really poor. Then when we lose a game, Dundalk were miles off it, the opposition were miles ahead. I’m sick of it,” he continued.
“I don’t know what year it started but it seems to be that Dundalk is an easy punchbag, the football club.”
Record goalscorer Patrick Hoban (above) started a second successive game on the bench but did play a big role in Dundalk securing the victory with two late goals, despite being linkeed with a move away.
“He’s one of the best strikers to be play in the league, one of the best players to play in the league, he’s the all-time goalscorer at this football club, you’d expect nothing less,” he said.