Dundalk jersey gesture a massive fillip for Adorjan
KRISZTIÁN Adorján hasn’t had many reasons to be cheerful of late but the sight of his jersey being held aloft at Dundalk’s recent title presentation couldn’t but bring a smile to his face.
The Hungarian made 21 appearances for the Lilywhites, including 16 in the league, during a six-month loan spell from Novara Calcio in Italy. He returned there at the end of July before subsequently moving on to Virtus Entella, who have found themselves in limbo between Serie B and Serie C due to three pre-season bankruptcies. The Chiavari-based club believe they should be playing in Serie B and as a result their games postponed indefinitely. They have played just once this season – a 3-1 win away to Gozzano which Adorján was an unused substitute for – and now find themselves eight and nine matches behind others in the two tiers.
‘It’s a crazy situation. I’ve never experienced anything like it. It’s frustrating,’ Adorján told The Argus.
Given that background you can see why the former Liverpool trainee would be a bit down in the dumps. That’s why the parading of his jersey for the presentation of the trophy after the Sligo match meant so much to him.
‘It was a very good time at Dundalk. I really enjoyed it.
‘I was lucky enough to be part of that group. It was the best group I was ever a part of and that is something I’ll always cherish and keep in my mind as a great memory. I’m really happy that they secured the championship because they were the best team and played the best football. It’s good when football wins.
‘Robbie (Benson) told me that they would arrange a medal for me but even if they don’t or for whatever reason I don’t receive it that’s okay because the gesture that they did in taking my jersey out was a really special moment. It was heartwarming to see that they still remembered me.
‘That was a really nice moment. I felt amazing seeing that.’
Adorján played his part in that success with three goals, including the opener in the 2-1 victory over Cork City at Oriel Park at the end of June.
‘It was a big moment in the season to beat them because those games are always big. I was happy to be able to play a part in that. A goal is always nice but it was very good to win that game and hopefully that helped in the title run.
‘We were on a great run at that time and the guys went on to win 13 in-a-row. That was an amazing accomplishment.
‘I felt I was just hitting my stride when my time ran out. At the start I found it very physical and quick. It was definitely more physical than I expected and I needed some time to adapt to that but once I did I was getting better and better but unfortunately I only had six months so time was almost up then by the time things started going well.’
Adorján might be gone but he remains in touch with many of his former teammates and will be cheering them on in the FAI Cup final on Sunday from afar.
‘I hope to get to watch it. It’ll be a good game because Cork will be upset that they lost the league so they’ll be going hard to win the cup. I’d expect Dundalk to win though because I just like the way they play football and I believe they’re the better side,’ said the midfielder.