2020 A YEAR OF MIXED EMOTIONS
It was a season mixed with many emotions from Dundalk supporters, players and staff. First there was the arrival of Covid weeks after the season started to be followed by the lengthy lockdown. There followed a slump in the team’s form that ended their hopes of retaining the League title to be followed by the sacking of Vinny Perth and his backroom team. He was replaced by the unknown Italian Giovagnoli much to the dismay of many. He couldn’t stop the team’s slump, but steadied the ship to qualify for the group stages of the Europa League and the icing on the cake was beating Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup final. At the end of each season supporters and others undertake an end of season report on the players as we have. Some like Gary Rogers (retired) Sean Gannon, Sean Hoare, John Mountney, Nathan Oduwa have departed while supporters are hoping that others such as Jordan Flores will be re-signing. Here is Kevin Mulligan’s assessment of the players:
Gary Rogers: Gary’s last season with Dundalk will best remembered for his match winning performance in the FAI Cup final against Shamrock Rovers when two stunning first half saves kept his struggling side in the game.
In the European games he struggled at times, although he wasn’t helped in dealing with crosses from set pieces by the introduction of a zonal marking system that his defenders never seemed to master with any authority.
Over his seven seasons with the club he played 168 games, and while never comfortable in dealing with back passes, and playing out from the back, like many ‘keepers of his generation, he was one of the most reliable shot stoppers in the League.
RATING 7
Sean Gannon: Sean was one of the last players Stephen Kenny signed before the start of the 2014 season and it took some persuading on the manager’s part to get the budget of the over stretched owners, Andy Connolly and Paul Brown to agree to the signature.
It didn’t take long for all to realise that they had signed the best right-back in the League with many predicting that he would be snapped up by an English club.
He stayed with Dundalk, making 190 appearances, winning countless honours but he has left Dundalk for Shamrock Rovers after a disappointing season judging by the high standards he set.
Never comfortable in the wing back role in preference to playing in a flat back four in the 4-3-3 system preferred by Kenny, he was in and out of the team for much of 2020 much to the annoyance of fans.
RATING 6
Brian Gartland: Having started the season as perhaps Vinny Perth’s fourth choice for one of the central defensive roles, the 34-year-old looked as if he would be seeing out his last season at the club as cover for Sean Hoare, Andy Boyle and Daniel Cleary.
However, the arrival of Filippo Giovagnoli changed the perspective as far as Brian was concerned for he soon became number 1 choice for the Italian on the strength of some solid performances and leadership on the field.
Having been exposed for pace and movement in European matches in previous seasons, he was one of the team’s most consistent performers in Europe, and it must have been a regret of the coach that he left him out of the away game in Vienna when four sloppy goals were conceded.
Adopted well to playing on the right side of a back three and had an excellent game in the Cup final.
RATING 8
Sean Hoare: It was a very mixed season for the 26-year-old who has never realised the potential he showed as young player with St. Patrick’s when he was a target for a number of English club.
Injuries during the 2020 season prevented him from having a good run in the team and the changing of personnel and formations from a back four to a back three did not help.
Always more comfortable as one of the central pairing in a back four he struggled for pace when exposed on the right side of a back three as a result his composure and passing became erratic.
He was however the scorer of two important goals in the Aviva, the third in the Cup final that restored Dundalk’s lead and the excellent header against Arsenal which ironically was Dundalk’s last goal of the season and the last of the six goals he scored in 82 appearances.
RATING 6
Chris Shields: Now the longest serving player at the club, ‘Captain Marvel’ as he is affectionately known is the player every other club in the League of Ireland would want in their team.
Again last season, as in all previous five seasons since converted from a journeyman defender to the defensive linchpin in midfield, Chris was the outstanding player of the season and the choice of most fans for that award.
As has been the case in the past he struggled a little to find his best form at the start of the season, but by the final month, especially in the European games and in the FAI Cup games when his team needed him most he delivered.
The improvement in his range of passing and vision on the ball, as well as his composure and leadership have rapidly become the hallmark of his game.
RATING 9
Jordan Flores: In many ways Jordan’s season will be remembered for the spectacular goals he scored, especially his stunning left foot volley against Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.
Equally notable, but not given sufficient credit, was his subtle pass in extra time in the Cup final that released Daniel Kelly to set up David McMillan’s clinching fourth goal.
However, his goals and that pass won him more headlines than his overall contribution to the team for while his ability on the ball, the vision in his passing and explosive left foot are of the highest quality, he has struggled with the pace and rough and tumble of Irish football, denying him more starting berths in the team.
His fitness improved last season, but over the two seasons with the club has made just 29 appearances which, for a player of his qualities, should be higher.
RATING 6
Michael Duffy: The season was a mixed one for the Derryman, for in some games, such as the FAI Cup quarter-final against Bohs he was almost unplayable, while in other games he never hit the form that made him the club’s most valued and talked about player after his arrival at the club in 2017.
It has been the view of some supporters that he never seemed to deliver in the big games, but that view ignores the reality that he was the player to whom most opposition devoted much of their attention to blunt Dundalk’s attacking threat.
This was evident in the European games in particular when at times he had two and sometimes three players closing down his space.
Now 26 and at the end of his contract, the winger who has a terrific scoring re-record of 37 goals in his 118 games with the club is the player after Chris Shields that supporters don’t want to see depart Oriel Park. campaigns at the club for the popular Mayo man for he became a favourite of the new coach who asked him to fill a number of positions in the team.
Versatility can be an asset in any player in any club, but for the player it is not always the best option to have a settled position, for John who has now come to the end of his eight years at the club would find it hard to describe his best position.
Is he a right back, a wing back, a central midfielder, or a winger. He has played in all four positions with Dundalk this season, and it has to be said that he never let the side down.
Since joining Dundalk in March 2012 he has seen some of the best days in the club’s history, contributing a great deal over his 200 games in which he scored 20 goals and while it seems that it is the right time for him to leave he leaves
behind supporters who appreciated his contribution.
RATING 7
Patrick Hoban: : It was a frustrating, injury disrupted season for Dundalk’s top scorer, who missed out on the climax to the season the Cup final, and a number of the high profile European games because of needing surgery on an injured ankle.
The frustrating aspect from the player’s viewpoint was that he started the season so well, and in the best game of the season, the Tallaght clash with Shamrock Rovers he was at the top of his game, scoring an excellent goal. Lockdown and the subsequent slump in the performances of the team didn’t help the player achieve his goal of leading scorer in the League - a feat he achieved previously on two occasions - and while he continued to carry the weight of the team’s attack, he never got the reward of the goal tally he achieved in previous seasons. Now 29 and reaching his peak he will face stiffer competition for the main striking role next season.
Patrick McEleney: Injury which has been the bane of the Derryman’s career in recent seasons severely disrupted his involvement during the campaign and it was only at the latter stages of the season when he produced his best.
He would be unhappy that his second spell at the club having re-joined at the start of 2018 hasn’t gone as well as his first two seasons when he earned a transfer to England.
When fit he is undoubtedly one of the best number 10’s in the League, with a range of passing that sets him apart, and at 28 he should be reaching his peak.
His poor goal return in the last season underlined his lack of game time but he showed all his qualities in playing a vital role in securing that Cup success.
RATING 6
Dane Massey: If the season that ended in December is to be Dane Massey’s last at Dundalk then there will be a great deal of disappointment and frustration on the player’s part that such a successful trophy laden career at the club ended with an injury that deprived him of the farewell he deserved.
Since joining Dundalk from Bray in 2012 he has been a stalwart in the team for when others challenged him for his role on the left side of the back four he always raised his game to the extent that he couldn’t be left out of the team.
He did however end his involvement in last season on a high note, scoring a fine goal against Cobh Ramblers in a difficult Cup tie when the team playing their first game under their new coach Filippo Giovagnoli were struggling for confidence after a bad run of results.
The injury sustained in that game kept the 32-year-old out for the remainder of the season, confining his involvement to punditry with the BT team, a role in which he may have a future.
If, as expected, he leaves the club he will do so with the best wishes of fans for he was an integral part of the club’s best days.
RATING 6
Sean Murray: After two seasons at the club it is fair to say that the jury is still out on the contribution made by the former Wigan player.
Certainly he had a much better season in 2020 that was highlighted by some fine goals in Europe, notably his fine headers away against Sherrif Tiraspol and at home against Ki Klaksvik which did much to earn qualification for the group stages of the Europa League.
The 27-year-old has struggled with injury in his two seasons at the club, but there is little doubt that when fully fit he brings a goal scoring dimension to the team that few others possess for he has the invaluable ability to arrive undetected into the box to grab a goal which he showed in the European matches against quality defenders.
Injury kept him out of the latter stages of the campaign and the Cup final, but he earned a new contract with his excellent form on the big stage in Europe.
RATING 6
Daniel Cleary: The former Liverpool player had an excellent end of season, playing vital roles in the European campaign and in the FAI Cup run when he relished his role in the decision by the coach to switch of three at the back.
Occupying the right side of the trio the 24-year-old who joined Dundalk in 2018 always looked extremely comfortable when bringing the ball out of defence to make the extra man, and his performances against Bohs in the qr-final and in the Cup final were his best.
There were reports that he again had become a target for cross-channel teams and he clearly has the quality if he overcomes his lapses in contraction that can be costly to his team.
He will be a vital part of the team next season when the experience he has gained in the last two seasons will stand to him.
RATING 7
Daragh Leahy: It was a international interrupted season for the former Bohemians defender, for being an integral part of the under-21 Irish side he had to be ruled out of a number of matches, after which he found it hard to regain his place.
Seen was the natural successor to Dane Massey he didn’t see off the challenge from the veteran defender in the early stages of the campaign, and then had to compete with the move by Cameron Dummigan to the left side of defence.
The 22-year did however show that he has great ability on the ball for a defender and given his background in the game has the pedigree and the ability to become a vital part of the team next season.
In games in which he played behind Michael Duffy he developed a great understanding with the winger because of his ability to work the ball in tight situations.
RATING 6
Daniel Kelly: The former Bohemians winger will not want to reflect on his season for just two outstanding moments for he will feel that he made a bigger contribution throughout the campaign.
But those two moments, his clinching goal against Ki on a memorable night in the Aviva that earned qualification for the Europa group stage and his first time pass for David McMillan in the Cup final again to secure the clinching goal will always be part of the folklore of the club.
Many, including the player himself, feel that he didn’t get enough opportunities to exploit his blistering pace and finishing, but if he could add a little more devil to his play he has the potential to be one of the best wingers in the League. RATING 6
Cameron Dummigan: Regarded as back-up for Sean Gannon or a squad player before the arrival of the new coach Filippo Giovagnoli in August, the 24-year-old looked to be on his way out of the club after completing a loan spell with Crusaders.
Under the new coach however he gained more playing time, filling in both full-back roles and the more he played the greater he impressed as a skilful and accomplished footballer.
He may not have the pace of Gannon, but is no slouch and when he gets into good attacking positions uses the ball well together with combining with the player in front of him.
He showed that he was comfortable in either a flat back four or as a wing back, but his lack of height in defending the back post was costly on occasions and is something that needs to be addressed if, as expected, he becomes Gannon’s successor.
RATING 6
Andy Boyle: Has never been able to recapture the form that earned him a transfer to Preston North End at the end of Dundalk’s 2016 very successful season.
When he returned to Dundalk in June, 2019 it looked as if his spell in England during which he played with a number of clubs took a toll on his confidence for he wasn’t the same assured player.
Gradually he has rebuilt his confidence during the 2020 season, and while he wasn’t always guaranteed a starting place, he ended the season well, taking over the role of the central player in three at the back that the coach Filippo Giovagnoli preferred.
The system was exposed at times in the European games as was the 31-year-old but he has the ability and the experience to regain his best form in a more stable environment.
RATING 6
David McMillan: When the 32 year-old returned to the club in July last after his spell in Scotland many doubted that it was a wise move by the club, and initially the player looked way short of confidence and match fitness that was evident in his first touch and lack of goals.
Gradually however his fitness improved and when he got more regular match time instead of the odd 20 minutes he started to show the form that earned him a transfer to St. Johnstone at the start of 2017.
As a result he again displayed his fondness for scoring European goals matching Glen Crowe’s Irish record of 11 goals in Europe, with his brace in Vienna and the winner against Inter Club.
It was in the FAI Cup however that he rewarded the club in spades for bringing him back for he was outstanding in the semi-final against Bohs and became only the third player to score a hat-trick in the final.
RATING 7
Stefan Colovic: The Serbian who Vinny Perth chased for some time before he joined the club last February on a two year deal has not delivered in the manner anticipated.
It didn’t help him settle in a new country that shortly after made his debut as a substitute against Finn Harps the first lockdown started in March last leaving him for months away from family, and unable to train.
There were great hopes that when the season resumed that he would be the flame that would ignite the team’s title challenge, but he failed to make the impact expected and struggled with the physical aspect and intensity of the league.
Undoubtedly he has talent on the ball, but when he gets himself into good positions fails to deliver. He was used mainly on the wing and a few attempts were made to play him as a number 10, but while he has the guile for the role, he finds it difficult to get to the pace of the game.
Signed initially in the hope that he could be the player Dundalk needed to progress further in Europe, but in the European games when he played he made little impact.
RATING 5
Greg Sloggett: The midfielder signed from Derry City on a two year contract last November has had a very up and down season, never fully confident of his place under Filippo Giovagnoli.
Best used as a defensive midfielder he has to compete for that role and that space on the field with Chris Shields and may not have been able to produced his best because he is unable to find a position in which he is able to display his tenacity and energy playing alongside Shields.
When Shields was absent in a big European game against Ki in the Aviva he delivered, and had a good end to the season putting in a very good stint in the Cup final to nullify Rovers superior qualities in that area.
He has the weaponry in his shooting ability to score more goals like the stunner he grabbed against Shels in Oriel.
RATING 6
Nathan Oduwa: Talk to a dozen Dundalk supporters and all will have a different view on Nathan Oduwa, the Londoner and former Spurs player who joined the club at the start of the season.
To some he is a wizard on the ball and worth persevering with while others believe that he was never fit into a team structure and needs a ball of his own to play with.
Undoubtedly he has talent, but the many clubs in the UK and abroad that the 24-year-old has played with have never been able to get the best out of that talent.
He can make an impact in a game when coming off the bench late in a game when defenders are tiring for his skill at beating players makes him a threat when he gets into the penalty area as he showed in the match in Vienna.
However, his attempt at converting a penalty at a vital time in the European match in the Aviva made up the minds of many fans on the player.
A popular figure round the club, he has been released. RATING 5
Will Patching: Once described as a very exciting prospect when he was on Manchester City’s books for four seasons, winning multiple English under-age caps, the 22-year-old has not been able to deliver at senior level with a number of clubs before joining Dundalk last November.
A very creative midfield player he never seemed to be able to make the best of the limited opportunities he got and the lockdown in March just as he was getting himself fit and settled in the town didn’t help.
New coach Filippo Giovagnoli didn’t seem to see a place for him in the team and it must have been a big disappointment to the player anxious to show his value on a European stage to be left out of the panel for the big games.
He subsequently left the club before the season ended, but his future at the club remains a doubt.
RATING 5
Aaron McCarey: An assessment of the 28-year-old Monaghan born ‘keeper’s season, or indeed his time at Dundalk should not be made on the basis of one high profile away game in the Europa Cup against Rapid Vienna.
Unfortunately however it is the one game that supporters will most recall when they talk about the reserve ‘keeper, for in a game in which Dundalk could have won, or even drawn, a few goalkeeping errors were costly at crucial times in the game which was lost 4-3.
The fault for that does not lie entirely with the player for coach, Filippo Giovagnoli must share the blame for he selected the player when it made no sense as first choice Gary Rogers was fit, and Aaron could not have been match fit having played only a handful of games during the season and indeed the previous season.
As a result Dundalk fans have never been able to rate the ‘keeper properly for he never got an extended run in the team to show his true form. He has now left the club for pastures new in the Irish League with Cliftonville where he will hope to game more game time.
RATING 5
Others such as Lido Lotefa, Cammy Smith and Josh Gatt did not get that many chances to be rated.