Dundalk were itching to bounce back
DUNDALK striker Ciaran Kilduff insists that the club’s recent defeat to Cork City is driving the side on to be better in the second half of the season.
The Lilywhites went down to their nearest challengers at Turner’s Cross before the break and had three weeks to mull over the defeat before lining out once again against St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday.
For a long stage it looked as though the Inchicore men would frustrate their opponents by holding them to a first scoreless draw at home since the 0-0 against Longford Town on August 7th last year. However, a Kilduff opener on 72 minutes followed by a second from Ronan Finn nine minutes from the end ensured Dundalk stretched their league at the top once more to three points due to Cork’s failure to win away to Shamrock Rovers.
‘We knew after the result in Cork three weeks ago that there was a bit of pressure on us and we needed to bounce back,’ said Kilduff.
‘We had three weeks to think about it and I don’t think anyone enjoyed the first week of it, even though we were probably all away on our holidays. It left a bad taste in the mouth, even for me personally because I had a couple of chances and a header cleared off the line down there that night.
‘You’re mulling it over in your head for a few days and it haunts you for a while but then there’s always the next game.
‘We had three weeks to wait for it, which wasn’t ideal but thankfully we’re back on winning ways and we’re still three points clear at the top.’
Dundalk’s persistence has often been the difference between them and their opponents and Kilduff insisted it was crucial again on Friday night.
‘For a long time it was a tight game. We thought we were on top without having any clear cut opportunities. Obviously I was delighted myself then to get the goal. Patrick (McEleney) did great and I was just delighted to make good contact with it and put us 1-0 up.
‘The second one was nice as well. I was hoping it would go in myself but Finner was on hand to tap it in, which is great for him as well because he’s in a rich vein of form and goals this season. It’s a good night for us. It was a great win and a great three points.’
Kilduff said he was looking forward to the club’s Champions League clashes against Iceland’s FH Hafnarfjarðar next month but admitted, while there was preparation work to do before those games on July 13th and 20th, the side could ill afford to take their eyes off the league for now.
‘We had one eye on the draw but we knew then that it was all about the league. The league is the bread and butter but Europe will be a nice distraction when it comes around.
‘I think we’re going to do our homework on the opposition. They don’t know much about us and we don’t know much about them so it’s up to the people in the background to do their scouting and do their home work.
‘We’ll be ready for that but in the meantime we still have a massive game next week against Derry. They’re playing absolutely out of their skins this season and have some great players there too,’ he said.