‘Focus is on Lilies not the Republic’
DUNDALK’S decision to broaden their search for new players to Eastern European countries with the signing of midfielder Karolis Chvedukas, a current Lithuanian international, may be significant in that the market there could offer the best value for money.
Of course there are inherent risks because the status of the leagues in eastern European - and consequently the calibre of player - is not that well known, and there are the obvious problems players might have in settling in this part of the world.
But Dundalk, as their history shows, have frequently looked outside of the domestic game in search of talent, and while admittedly the English, Scottish and Welsh leagues have been their primary source, it has become more and more difficult to attract quality players who have no Irish links from those leagues.
The club’s desire to field the best talent affordable, irrespective of nationality, was evident even from its foundation, with players from Britain regularly featuring in those early days, one of whom went by the impressive name of George Harry Beadles, a Welshman, who had played with Liverpool and was made club captain when he signed for Dundalk in 1929.
Indeed, when Dundalk won their first League title (then known as the Free State League) in 19321933, the team contained a Welshman, Ben Lewis, a Scotsman, Mick Burke, and an Englishman, Henry Hirst.
Some, like Henry Hirst, settled to live the rest of their lives in Dundalk, having married a local girl, and more recently Rickie Blackmore, perhaps the finest goalkeeper to represent the club, also settled in town, having moved from his native Birmingham.
Ironically, at Friday night’s glamour night for Irish soccer, the SWAI dinner in the Conrad Hotel in Dublin, I happened to meet another Englishman who has made a life for himself in Ireland, having initially thought that he would be joining Waterford on a six-week loan.
That player is Johnny Matthews, an exceptional goal-scoring winger who became a legend at Kilcohan Park, turning out on 327 times with the Blues and scoring 143 goals.
Johnny recalled with great relish past battles with Dundalk and revealed that the first time he played against the Lilywhites he took the ball on his chest, only to be dumped to the ground with an almighty challenge from Fran Brennan. As he dusted himself down he was met by a quick retort from the Dundalk full-back with the greeting ‘welcome to Irish football’.
No doubt Karolis Chvedukas might get the same greeting, especially when he plays his first game in Turner’s Cross, but from reports all assiduously researched by Dundalk fans online, and from his performances for his country against England in the recent World Cup qualifiers, the midfielder can handle himself.
Hopefully he will get the support from the club and fans to settle in his new environment, but even before a ball is kicked in a challenge match supporters are speculating about Stephen Kenny’s likely formation at the start of the season.
Chvedukas, we are told, can play the number 10 role, the role occupied by the departed Patrick McEleney, but many - myself included - would like to see Jamie McGrath get the chance to settle into that role. The former St Patrick’s player is unquestionably a very talented footballer, and he showed, especially in the FAI Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght, that he was able to match his skill with enthusiasm and work, assets that McEleney - who was missing injured on that day - often lacked in his play.
It is highly unlikely that Kenny will alter his style of play to compensate for the departed McEleney and David McMillan, but it may need some fine-tuning, for Pat Hoban, McMillan’s likely replacement, is more of a target man and will therefore need supporting players to be closer.
Of course it is all speculation at this stage and it may take weeks before the manager settles on his best formation.
The vibes from the players has been good since they returned to training and Gary Rogers - who was unfortunately denied his third Goalkeeper of the Year accolade by Cork’s Mark McNulty as the Leesiders swept the awards - revealed at the SWAI dinner that while the pre-season training has been tough, there is a determination within the group to regain their League title.
With talk of a few more new signings before the start of the new season, all involved in the club - players, backroom staff and supporters - are puzzled by the delay in finalising the takeover of the club, and hopefully this process won’t drag on until the start of the season, thus distracting the players’ focus. STEPHEN Kenny insists he remains fully committed to Dundalk FC despite continued speculation linking him with the Republic of Ireland manager’s job.
With Martin O’Neill linked to the vacant Stoke City position last week, Kenny’s name was frequently mentioned as one possible succesor to the Derry man.
Indeed, the 46-year-old is the 12/1 third favourite with bookmakers’ Paddy Power behind Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane to be the next permanent Irish manager whenever the position arises.
While it now looks increasingly likely that O’Neill will finally sign the new contract he was offered by the FAI at the start of October, speaking before the news broke on Sunday evening that O’Neill had rejected Stoke’s offer to succeed Mark Hughes, Kenny said he was ‘fully focused’ on his work at Dundalk.
‘I don’t really want to comment on the Republic of Ireland job while there is a man in the job. I’m just focused on what I’m doing at the moment.
‘It has been an amazing period for the club and a unique period when you combine what we have achieved while losing so many good players.
‘We have lost another three this year who were in the Team of the Season last season, so it’s a big challenge to stay at the top when you’re constantly having to do that, but it’s a challenge we’re embracing.
‘I just want to make sure we’re ready for the season ahead.
‘The players have been working extremely hard and the staff have been very good behind the scenes. They’re putting in a lot of intensive work in this two-week period and we can look forward to the pre-season matches then.’