Georgie mad for a slice of the title pie
GEORGIE Poynton has targeted a title triumph this year as he looks to establish himself at Oriel Park.
The 20-year-old has returned to Dundalk this season after spending last year on loan at Bohemians.
It will be four years ago this May since the Meath man made his senior debut in an EA Sports Cup match against Friday night’s opponents Bray. The former Republic of Ireland U-19 captain has made just 22 appearances for Stephen Kenny’s side since then with Sunday’s outing against Cork City just his 13th start in all competitions.
Playing out of position at right back, Poynton was one of the plus points for Dundalk to take from the President’s Cup final.
While pleased to be back involved, the result meant the Dundalk IT student admitted the end result hurt.
‘I’ve come through the academy here and it’s a proud moment to play for Dundalk but it’s just a difficult one to take today.
‘We’re obviously very disappointed with that. I thought we were in real control of the game in the first half and they never even looked like scoring. We came out in the second half and gave away a sloppy goal early on after three or four minutes into the second half and it has paid dividends in the end.
‘It is really sloppy to concede them goals and we shouldn’t be conceding them goals especially three or four minutes into the second half.’
Poynton said the loss of Chris Shields in midfield after Sean Hoare limped off injured was pivotal in the game turning in Cork’s favour.
‘We stopped winning second balls in the midfield when Chris dropped back one. Hopefully Sean is all right but I thought ultimately when Chris dropped back we stopped winning second balls in midfield.
‘There was a lot of illness and that in the camp. Through no fault of Robbie’s (Benson) he probably wasn’t fit to play today so fair play to him for coming on but I think when Chris went back one we started losing second balls in midfield and I think that was a big factor in Cork getting a foot hold in the game.
‘Their substitutions were good but we were poor to be honest to concede those goals and it’s something we need to eradicate very quickly.’
Poynton said the group would now focus on bouncing back against Bray on Friday.
‘The incentive of the group has to turn to that now.
‘It’s difficult to take today but we need to dust ourselves down now and go again because we want to win the league ultimately this year. We just need to cut out conceding silly goals like that