McEleney expecting a hostile reception in Derry
PATRICK McEleney expects a rough reception both on and off the field when he returns to The Brandywell on Friday night.
The 23-year-old midfielder left Derry City at the start of the season to sign for Dundalk having scored 26 goals in 175 appearances after being handed his debut by Stephen Kenny in 2009.
Since his departure though the Candystripes have been in fine form under new boss Kenny Shiels and currently sit in third place, nine points off the top.
McEleney told The Argus after Friday night’s victory over St Patrick’s Athletic that he was looking forward to a return home for the game but expects nothing easy against his former side.
‘I’m looking forward to it. I’m not going to get a good reception but I’m looking forward to it,’ he grinned.
‘Derry are doing well and they won tonight as well so it’ll be a tight game.
‘It’s always a tight game between these two sides. I know what it’s like obviously from playing up there for Derry and it’s going to be tough. There’s no hiding away from that because they are brilliant at home. Their fans are excellent so we’ll have to work hard for the win,’ he said.
While many have described Derry as this year’s surprise package so far, McEleney is not too taken aback by how well they have performed to date.
‘It hasn’t surprised me because I met Kenny before I left and I actually got on very well with him and I’ve huge respect for him and the job he has done.
He is getting more and more respect as the season goes on. He has done excellent and the players have done excellent so fair play to them.’
For now though McEleney is simply pleased to be back in action. Friday night’s victory over St Patrick’s Athletic was his first league start since the 1-0 defeat at home to Cork City on Friday March 18th. Now the midfielder is hoping for a run of games to get himself in the best possible shape for the second half of the season and the club’s Champions League campaign next month. ‘It was hard fought,’ he said of the victory over Pat’s. ‘It sort of went on and on a bit but we got there in the end so we’re happy enough.
‘It’s my first start in a while so I was happy with that too. I think my last start was against Cork here and that seems a long time ago now. I was just pleased to get through the game to be honest. I was a bit tight at the end but I’m happy enough.
‘Every minute is vital for me to be honest. We’ve Derry next week and I’ll be hoping to play then too and get even more minutes under my belt coming up to the Champions League.’
It was a good comeback for McEleney, who provided the assist for Ciaran Kilduff’s crucial 73rd minute breakthrough.
‘I can’t really remember it to be honest, it’s a bit of a blur. I think I was trying to get a shot off and then I looked up and just played it across quickly and I was delighted to see Ciaran put it away.’
His first assist in the league since joining the club, Lilywhites fans will be hoping there are plenty more to follow in the weeks and months ahead.