Kings again!
Dundalk celebrated reclaiming the Premier Division title with a hammer job on Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park. The Lilywhites won 5-0, sparking wild celebrations among their legions of fans, with boss Stephen Kenny, pictured, in jubilant mood.
HAVING already been crowned champions, Dundalk FC will wrap up their league campaign with a trip to Dalymount Park on Friday night to face Bohemians (kick-off 7.45pm).
While there is little at stake for either side, Stephen Kenny feels the beaten semi-finalists are the perfect opposition for his side as they look to maintain their momentum ahead of the FAI Cup final against Cork City in the Aviva Stadium on Sunday week.
He said: ‘Although it was a terrific performance against Sligo on Friday, we must not lose sight of the fact that they weren’t at their strongest on the night and that they had let their manager go midweek.
‘Bohemians will be a sterner test, which is what we need ahead of the Cup final so that will be good going to Dalymount. It’ll be a good test for us and I think that will stand us in good stead.’
Asked would he look to play his cup final team or give players some game time, Kenny said he had not made his mind up as yet.
‘I haven’t decided. We’ll see how we go. There’s a lot to consider and we’ll see how people train this week.’
Doubts surround John Mountney, who was taken off at half-time against Sligo Rovers, and fellow midfielder Robbie Benson who remains sidelined with a knee problem.
Their manager said: ‘John Mountney came off with a hip injury. He hurt it scoring the first goal. We don’t know if Robbie Benson could be involved or not. We’ll have to see has his knee improved, it’s too early to say.’
Kenny also appeared to rule out a spectacular return to action for club captain Stephen O’Donnell, who made his comeback from a leg break sustained away to Waterford in early May last Monday night with a 45 minute cameo against Newry City in a charity match at The Showgrounds.
‘Stephen O’Donnell looks like he won’t quite make it,’ said his manager.
‘He’s had a calf strain coming back and it just looks like it might be too much, too soon for him but his knee seems to have come back fine. He’s done a lot of hard work.’
Meanwhile, the manager praised his side after lifting the league title on Friday night.
‘I can’t speak highly enough of the players. They just give everything of themselves and the constant desire to improve is very evident.
‘Their rate of improvement, you can see it before their eyes. It manifested itself with 16 wins in 17 and the dominance of them wins.’
Kenny also reserved special praise for support- ers.
‘Since the day I arrived here six years ago they’ve been really good to me and all the players. The supporters have really played their part and helped inspire us to great things. We’re indebted to everyone.
‘It has been a great effort. Everyone at the club works so hard. We couldn’t have envisaged winning it in the manner that we have by so many points but thankfully we have.’
The manager also described Friday’s display as a ‘good performance.’
‘Sligo maybe weren’t at their strongest but I think we won easily. The first 10 minutes I thought we were absolutely brilliant. Some of the football was really terrific. It was a comfortable win tonight but it wasn’t like that all season.
‘The previous two games were a lot tougher and we had to go to the 94th minute against Sligo here previously. It has been an epic season and the players have been magnificent.
‘Everyone wants to play, that’s only natural. There’s not always perfect harmony every single day of the week but what there is is a real determination to do well and to improve every day. The players push themselves and the staff and it has been a good formula for us.
‘It’s been a great season but we want to have a good finale in the Aviva,’ he said.
During the week John Mountney signed a new two year deal to remain at Oriel Park until the end of the 2020 season while youth team winger Pablo Cavalcante also signed his first professional contract with the Lilywhites.