Kenny’s injury headache for Rovers visit
SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE
DUNDALK have a number of injury problems to contend with ahead of the visit of Shamrock Rovers to Oriel Park this Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm, live on RTÉ Two).
Karolis Chvedukas, Ronan Murray, Brian Gartland and Sean Hoare are all doubts for the visit of the Hoops to Oriel Park.
Chvedukas has been sidelined by a hamstring problem while Murray and Hoare have ankle and groin problems. In the case of the two latter injuries, manager Stephen Kenny was unable to estimate a return date.
Gartland, meanwhile, spent two separate nights in hospital last week due to tonsillitis and has yet to play competitively this season.
Kenny also faces up to a month without goalkeeper Gary Rogers who picked up a calf injury early on in Friday’s 3-0 win over Bohemians.
‘It’s a calf tear and obviously it’s one he had in pre-season of last season when he missed the start of last season. We’ll have to wait and see on that,’ said the manager.
Gabriel Sava will now take his place in the first team for the Rovers game with Ross Treacy - a pre-season signing from Swansea - elevated to the bench as back-up.
Kenny has praised the Meath teenager’s attitude since joining the club.
‘Ross’s attitude has been excellent,’ he said.
‘He has really trimmed down and got himself in fantastic nick. He hadn’t played for a while and after coming back from Swansea he played a few games with Park Villa in Navan. He was a little bit out of shape coming in but he has really worked hard and got himself really fit. His attitude has been great.
‘He makes great saves. He’s still young, only 19, but he comes into the squad now,’ said the manager.
Kenny described the visit of Rovers as a ‘brilliant game to look forward to’ and called on supporters to bring the kind of passion in evidence for the win over Bohs on Friday.
With Dundalk playing St Patrick’s Athletic in the EA Sports Cup on Monday, Kenny will have to assess his squad in the aftermath of that game to determine who is available for the visit of Stephen Bradley’s side.
He is hopeful they can build on a start to the season that has seen them yet to concede in the opening eight games.
‘I thought there was some terrific football tonight. It was a still night with not much of a wind and that really helps. There was a high technical standard to a lot of the play. Overall we were the better team and deserved the victory.
‘It wasn’t so much trying to gel at the start but we had issues with players coming in late and some injury problems in pre-season. There was no question that we’d be a real quality team because the players have been champions three years out of the last four. We must not forget that because it has been an historic period for the club but you have to earn the right every single week.
‘All the teams are good in the league. Last week Sligo were second from bottom and gave us a real tough game. Bohemians are a point above them and they’re a good team. It’s a tough league and every week you have to perform.’
He also praised his whole team for the stunning defensive record.
‘Everyone plays their part. The whole team has to defend as a unit.
‘Brian Gartland and Sean Hoare were probably our first choice centre backs at the start of the season yet Daniel Cleary and Stephen Folan have been playing in many of the games. Stephen has played in four and Daniel has played in seven. Gabby Sava came in today so it has been a collective effort.’
Given where Dundalk were with just two points from a possible six after their last meeting with Shamrock Rovers, Kenny said he is pleased with how the team has progressed since then.
‘We had a lot of problems at the start of the season and with the first two games being draws considering from there to here is exceptional.
‘To not concede a goal is superb. We had a lot of problems and a lot of issues but we’re still in there which is good going.’
The manager reserved special praise for Krisztián Adorján and Jamie McGrath.
On the Hungarian, he said: ‘Krisztián is obviously very talented and that is why he was so highly rated at Liverpool. He has obviously played in Serie B a number of times but the thing with him is adjusting. He wasn’t fit when he came first of all because he hadn’t played in a long time. He got that virus then but adjusting to the speed and the tempo of the game here is important because some of the games can be frenetic.
‘Tonight was a still night and it was a technical performance and he really flourished. He never wasted a pass. He always has time on the ball and is happy to receive it in a tight area. He’s getting fitter and I think Dundalk fans will enjoy watching him, certainly anyone who really enjoys watching the game and watching creative players play.’
Meanwhile Kenny said he felt McGrath was really growing into his role on the right.
‘Jamie is looking more comfortable and more confident. More importantly he is taking more responsibility in trusting his talent rather than laying it off easily. He is looking forward all the time now, getting on the turn and looking forward with his passing and dribbling.
‘It’s a position he has never played before wide on the right before he came to the club. He always played centre forward or as a number 10 and occasionally on the left so he has adapted very well and him and Sean Gannon linked very well today.’