Best is yet to come insists Gannon

SEAN Gannon believes the best is yet to come for him at Dundalk FC after putting pen to paper on a new three year deal at Oriel Park last week which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2020 season.

The full back spoke to The Argus after being named in the PFAI Team of the Year for the fourth year running on Saturday.

Despite winning three league titles, two EA Sports Cups and one FAI Cup since joining from St Patrick’s Athletic in 2014, the 26-year-old is confident that there are even better times ahead under Stephen Kenny.

‘I’m delighted to get things sorted and be here for another three years,’ he said.

‘It’s great for myself to have my future secured. It’s probably unprecedented for a player to get a three year deal but once it was put to me I really liked the idea of having that security.

‘Since I’ve come to the club I’ve been very successful and I hope to replicate that and better it in the years to come.

‘The club have shown their faith in me and are obviously happy with my contribution since joining so I was delighted to re-sign,’ he said.

While hailing from Ringsend in Dublin 4, Gannon admitted Dundalk was now in his blood.

‘Since I came to Dundalk I’ve had the best years of my career. Before Dundalk I was in and out with both Pat’s and Rovers but here I’ve played regularly and enjoyed my football.

‘I’m really happy at Dundalk. Anything I’ve ever asked of the club has been done for me and it has been great to be part of a great squad that has consistently challenged for things.

‘The past few years have been up there with some of the best any side have managed. Losing the league and the cup last season hurt but we have to go again now to try and get our title back again.

‘It will be a very hard league to win as there are a lot of good sides but we want to win it again and hopefully get another run in Europe too.’

It shows Gannon’s influence on Dundalk that of the eight league matches he missed last season, the club dropped 16 points.

He had his injury problems at times last season, often playing through the pain barrier, but believes a full break during pre-season will stand to him ahead of the 2018 campaign.

‘I did the MCL in my knee last season and missed about nine weeks. That hampered my season a little as even when I came back I had to get up to match fitness.

‘There were a few little niggles after that but the break now should sort them out and I’m looking forward to coming back fit and hungry.

‘There are exciting times ahead and I’m delighted to be part of that. At the end of my contract I’ll only be 29 so hopefully my best years are ahead and the club’s are too,’ said

Gannon.