Benson desperate to reach the Aviva
ROBBIE Benson is confident that Dundalk can finish the job they started in Oriel Park on Sunday by beating Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght on Tuesday week to book their place in this year’s FAI Cup final.
The midfielder, who took his goal tally for the season to 11 this week with strikes against both Cork City and Rovers, has an extra motivation to make it to the Aviva Stadium having missed last year’s final through injury.
While Dundalk will have to do it all again against Rovers to get there, Benson remains confident they can get the job done.
“I was very disappointed last year that I missed the game. At the start of the year it was something in the back of my mind that I wanted to play on the big day at the start of November so please God we can do that by getting through the semi-final next week.
“It’s a bit of a downer because we were in the lead and we had a chance to go through tonight but I wouldn’t really think we’re out of it completely.
“We were probably in a worse position last year having had a two goal lead here in the semi-final and then having to go up to Derry on the Tuesday having played around Europe. We’re going to be fully focused on getting through on Tuesday week.”
The 25-year-old admitted his side probably didn’t do enough to win the game on the day though.
“We started the game really well and I thought for the first half we were by far the better team. We had a couple of chances where we might have gone in with a couple more goals at half-time, but it was a battle in the second half.
“We probably didn’t do enough to win the game but at the same time we’re disappointed we didn’t manage to hold out.
“There was a big wind out there and it made the pitch very dry so when you were trying to get it down to play it was kind of a bit bumpy. Then with the wind it was difficult to play it in the air. It was a battle in the second half and they came out on top.”
Benson said he was delighted to be amongst the goals more regularly this season and praised Stephen O’Donnell and Michael Duffy for their respective roles in creating his opener.
“Stephen is not used to being in them positions high up the pitch but he was brilliant and it was a great dummy by Michael. He said he saw me out of the corner of his eye and thankfully I finished it.
“Stephen, Vinny and Ruaidhrí are always at me to get into the box more when the ball is out wide. It has paid dividends over the last two games. Overall I have 11 goals now in total in all competitions this year so it’s a good return and hopefully I can get a few more now before the season ends.”
Next up for Dundalk will be a return to Finn Park where on his last appearance there in May 2016 he scored his first two goals for the club. While the cup replay is probably more of a priority now for Dundalk, Benson insists it’s a game they want to win.
“I missed the trip earlier in the season up there but we’ve played well against Harps ever since they came into the league. We’ve beaten them five out of five but they will be fighting for their lives.’