Everton loanee could feature in Brentford friendly

PRESIDENT’S CUP

DUNDALK manager Stephen Kenny is set to continue adding to his squad this week ahead of Sunday’s President’s Cup tie with Cork City at Oriel Park (kickoff 2pm).

Sam Byrne, pictured right, a 22-year-old Dublin-born striker who has been capped up to U-21 level with the Republic of Ireland, was expected to arrive on loan from Everton yesterday (Monday) and will go straight into the side for the friendly match against Brentford B at Oriel on Wednesday night (kickoff 7.45pm).

Another attacking player is also expected to arrive before the transfer deadline of February 22nd but it will not be Eoghan Stokes, who Dundalk were linked with in recent years, despite his released by Leeds United last week.

‘We want to sign two more attacking players. One major signing that we were close to in midweek feel through at the last minute. That was for a player from outside Ireland.

‘We’re not close to signing two but we may sign one this week.’

The new arrivals will be in addition to Hungarian midfielder Krisztián Adorján who joined the club on loan from Italian Serie B side Novara Calcio last week.

The former Liverpool youth player, now 25, featured in both of Dundalk’s pre-season matches in Spain last week – a 1-1 draw with Shanghai Shenxin and a 1-0 win over FC Seoul courtesy of a stunning Michael Duffy overhead.

Kenny described him as a ‘very good addition’.

‘Krisztián has an Irish agent so that’s how it came about. He got in touch and we watched a lot of him and we’re thrilled he’s here now.

‘He’s still getting up to fitness but he’s a great addition and a very creative player.’

Kenny confirmed that he would not be offering a contract to trialist Jeff McGowan, who featured in the friendly wins over Cabinteely and Drogheda Utd as well as in the game against Shanghai.

Tyler Blackwood, who featured against FC Seoul, will also not be joining up but there is hope for another trialist, Jordan Hallam who also featured in the club’s second Spanish match.

Kenny said: Jordan Hallan is a young player who was at Sheffield Utd. We know about him from our contacts there. He looks a good player but we’ll have to wait and see.’

The club also hope to offer terms to former Swansea City underage goalkeeper Ross Treacy, who would provide back up for Gary Rogers and Gabriel Sava.

Looking ahead to the President’s Cup match on Sunday, Dundalk are set to be without Patrick Hoban and Stephen O’Donnell, neither of whom have featured in pre-season yet. Hoban is expected to be available for the league opener at home to Bray Wanderers on Friday February 16th while O’Donnell could return for the away match against Shamrock Rovers a week later. John Mountney is also making progress following the knee injury he picked up in the early stages of the Malone Cup victory over Drogheda and could be back in around four weeks.

Looking back on the trip to Spain, all players came through it relatively unscathed. Dean Jarvis had a slight recurrence of a hip problem but Kenny de- scribed it as ‘more a hindrance’ than anything and said they were just taking precautions with the Derry man at the moment.

On the positive side Dane Massey and Jamie McGrath saw their first action of pre-season while Karolis Chvedukas also featured for an hour against FC Seoul following an ankle problem.

While a competitive atmosphere is expected for the President’s Cup clash with Cork City, who will be captained by Greenore’s Conor McCormack this season, Kenny said his main focus was ensuring his side were right for the Bray game five days later.

‘We want to do well on Sunday but ultimately a good start to the league is key for us. We won’t be rushing players back for Sunday if there is any doubt over them.

‘Having said that it’s always a competitive game between us and Cork which will be good for us ahead of the Bray game.’

Kenny also said there was ‘no truth’ to reports that emerged over the weekend that his assistant Vinny Perth had departed the club.

The Dundalk number two has yet to sign a new deal at Oriel Park for 2018 but has been involved with the squad as normal up to now. Stephen Kenny chats with some of the supporters at the Dundalk FC Owners Group meeting in the Youth Development Centre, Oriel Park. Picture: Ken Finegan