‘Break has come at wrong time’
DUNDALK defender Andy Boyle insists his side are glad of the mid-season break but said it is coming at just the wrong time following Friday night’s defeat away to Cork City.
While the 25-year-old believes the champions will benefit from a chance to recharge their batteries over the next few weeks, it means they have no chance to move on from the defeat on Leeside until they welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Oriel Park on June 24th.
However, Boyle insists the Lilywhites will learn from the mistake made on Friday and emerge a stronger side in the second half of the season.
“There’s never a good time for a defeat, but going into the break and having to wait so long to get back on the horse so to speak makes it twice as bad.” he said.
“We probably do need a break both physically and psychologically. It’s just not coming at the right time, though, after the defeat tonight.
“We’ll have a look at it, though, over the break and see where we went wrong and correct them issues and no doubt we’ll be back stronger.”
The centre-half was not looking for any excuses after what was a below-par display from Stephen Kenny’s men on the night.
“It was a bad night for us,” he said. “In the first half they were much the better side. In the second half we done a bit better and created a few chances before the end, but it’s not what we wanted.
“We did struggle to get into it. I don’t think it was a red card myself, but I don’t think we can blame that. It was a poor goal to give away. It wasn’t great defending from myself or great defending as a side, but these things happen. We just have to bounce back.
“I’d like to see it back to see how that situation came about, one v one. It’s just disappointing that that is the goal that won it.
“I think we had two or three decent chances at the end, but overall I think first half they were the better side.”
That said, Boyle reiterated his confidence that Dundalk could bounce back to win their third title in-a-row come the end of the season.
“It’s not all doom and gloom,” said the former Shelbourne player.
“We’re still top of the league going into the break, but the performance more than anything let us down tonight and that’s the most disappointing thing, to be honest.
“The hunger is definitely there. Sometimes you just have those nights, but we’ll be okay.
“We’ve proved there’s enough character in that dressing-room to come back. It’s a long season and nothing was won or lost tonight.”
After taking this week off, Dundalk will travel to Portugal next week for a training camp and Boyle feels it will benefit the team.
“It’s nice to get away. We’ll be training in the sun and it will give us a chance to work on a few things, especially heading into Europe. We’ve got three games, though, before we head into Europe, so we have to be right for them as well, but it’ll be a nice change of environment to train in.”
Asked had he any preference over the Champions League draw on June 20th, Boyle said there would be no easy game no matter who Dundalk were paired with.
“There’s no easy sides in it really, but we’re just looking for the kindest one of the lot. We’re not really sure what that is at the moment, but whoever comes out of the hat you just have to make the best of it,” he said.