Ultra-professional Lilywhites show their character in Balybofey battle

IF anyone, Dundalk supporters included, doubted what Stephen Kenny and this Dundalk team are all about then they saw a perfect illustration in Ballybofey on Saturday night.

With little to play for other than pride in extending their undefeated run, and clinging to the faint hope that Cork might yet slip up, the team gave a performance laced with character and courage on the pitch that was not fit for purpose.

Finn Harps, fighting for their survival, had understandably did their best to deny Dundalk the luxury of a surface on which they could exploit their superior footballing skills. They narrowed the playing surface, and contrived to produce a surface that on both wings rows that looked like the residue of potato drills that had been dug a few weeks previously.

Whether they should be allowed effect such a surface for a Premier League tie is a moot point, and while they, and others would argue that survival in the League takes precedence over all other proper considerations, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the FAI is right to cut the League to ten teams in an effort not just to improve the standard of play, but also improve surfaces and facilities to progress the quality on offer.

In such circumstances it would have been easy for Dundalk to roll over. Without need and motivation for the three points and with an FAI Cup semi-final looming in their biggest domestic game of the season, Dundalk, with two young players making their competitive League debuts, could have sat back, arrogantly believing that their superior footballing qualities would have been sufficient.

At times during a first half in which they dominated and should have taken the lead, Dundalk looked set for an inevitable victory, but Harps dug in, fortified by the scoreless first half, they tore into the champions in the second half with a ferocity that at times bordered on reckless with one tackle on Dylan Connolly deserving of a red card as the winger was fortunate to escape serious injury.

In such circumstances and with the paltry home crowd encouraging even greater Harps aggression it would have been easy for Dundalk players to go missing, reserving their energy and limbs for Tuesday night’s Cup replay.

Stephen Kenny too could not have been faulted for challenging the integrity of the relegation battle in which Harps are involved by playing even more of his youth team, and while the club would have risked retribution from the FAI, few would blame them after the shabby treatment they received last year from the FAI when they sought relief from their fixture congestion caused by their extended run in Europe.

Credit therefore to the manager’s virtue for he has stated frequently that we wants to win every game he plays, and anyone doubting that principle had only to look at his team selection on Saturday and the players he brought off the bench.

One of those players, David McMillan yet again typified what this team is all about for in the dying minutes and with Dundalk clinging on to the goal lead that Brian Gartland’s header had given them in the minute 66th, McMillan tracked back to win a vital tackle in his own half and prevent another dangerous cross. He then won the header in the dying minute to set up Jamie McGrath’s exquisite finish to clinch the points.

That fighting spirit evident in Ballybofey will be needed to-night in Tallaght in the FAI Cup replay against Shamrock Rovers, for it is going to be a battle from the kick-off with the partisan home support seeking to place as much pressure on the referee as possible.

Rovers too have gained an unwanted reputation for their aggressive play, that has seen nine players sent off this season - four against Dundalk - and they are unlikely to change tactics for the crucial match.

For a battle such as this Dundalk could be doing with the rugged skills of Chris Shields and John Mountney but in their absence through injury the onus will fall of players such as Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy to supplement their undoubted skills with a more robust contribution.

Another player who could have been an additional ally either in the starting line-up or from the bench is Conor Clifford. However, he will be missing too due to a six months suspension imposed by the English FA last week for a betting offence.

In standing by the player Dundalk have done the right thing for the offences came at a time when the player was at a low ebb following the disappointment of not making a grade at Chelsea after he was heralded as one of the most exciting prospects to leave Ireland since Liam Brady.

He has shown glimpses of that talent over a very disruptive season with Dundalk especially in last week’s Leinster Cup final, and if he is given a second chance by Dundalk with a new contract next season he could be a real asset.

Footnote: At times we forget or ignore the off the field contribution that supporters make in helping a club like Dundalk either in helping to prepare the ground for big matches or working at the grounds on match days. Some are also involved in fund raising like like long supporter, Gerry Curtis and he has reminded meet that he will host his annual poker classic for the club in Lisdoo Arms on the 29th of the month. All are welcome and it again promises to be a good night.