HOME GAME: DAVID SNEYD ON A NEW LEAGUE OF IRELAND SEASON –
IN DECEMBER, Stephen Kenny attended the Echo Sports Awards at the Green Isle Hotel on the Naas Road.
The Tallaght native was invited by the local newspaper group because they wanted to acknowledge one of their own as a ‘Leading Light’ following Dundalk’s back-to-back Premier Division triumph and the addition of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup into the Oriel Park trophy cabinet.
There would be more prestigious and glamorous events in his calendar — such as when his side claimed the RTÉ Sport team of the year gong — but Kenny took great pride in attending the Echo’s big night.
He was in the midst of dealing with losing talismanic midfielder Richie To well, who had departed for Brighton when he was asked what he felt the biggest test of his leadership would be in 2016.
He thought about the question briefly before delivering the sort of forthright answer that suggested this was an issue he was already contending with, rather than simply throwing out an off-the-cuff remark.
‘It’s a big challenge for us,’ he began. ‘Behind the scenes there is so much that goes into things. The people who have to organise the Cup final, playing in Europe and all those arrangements, people behind the scenes get fatigued.
‘Our staff have other jobs. The players too can feel it. The big challenge for us is to go again. That’s the big challenge for me as a manager. That’s why I haven’t stopped. I have to really make sure everything is ready and sorted out for next season.’
With good reason, as this is a year that could be historic for Dundalk and ensure Kenny has a plinth all to himself in the pantheon of League of Ireland managers.
Only three clubs, Cork United ( 1941- 43), Waterford United (1968-70) and Shamrock Rovers (1984-87) have won three league titles in a row – the latter going one better with a fourth during the 1980s.
In the modern era, though, it is a feat which has eluded the very best. Pat Fenlon has been closest, guiding Shelbourne to three Premier Division successes in four years between 2003-06, before heading across the northside to Bohemians and winning it in 2008 and ’09.
Such was his Midas touch, that decade may as well have been dubbed t he ‘ Nutsy Noughties’.
Fenlon is now at Shamrock Rovers, and will be one of the eager challengers aiming to bring an end to Dundalk’s dominance.
The 2-0 President’s Cup defeat to Cork City last Saturday (the first time Kenny has been on the losing side against the Leesiders over the past three years) provides a glimmer of hope that the champions are no longer infallible. But that is all it is. Dundalk’s exploits since Kenny arrived in Louth and created a squad burning with ambition should carry far greater weight than the result of a glorified pre-season friendly.
Kenny, for his part, attempted to freshen things up over winter — and not just with the signings of Robbie Benson and Patrick McEleney to counter the loss of Towell. The Dubliner’s departure will be felt so it’s just a case of seeing how Kenny, and even more so his players, adapts to the situation.
It was only a minor alteration to their pre- season plans, but rather than a two-day retreat to Trim, Kenny brought his side to a hotel in Blanchardstown so they could avail of the FAI’s training facilities at the National Sports Campus.
It was there that they held the annual team meeting where players could take the floor and air any grievances or points of view.
It was all geared towards ensuring Dundalk, once again, retain their crown, and winning the Premier Division this season i s now worth € 110,000 ( up €10,000 on 2015) after the FAI confirmed the increase following an injection of €160,000 in total prize money for the SSE Airtricity League.
A large proportion of that, estimated at between €130,000€150,000 has flowed into the League courtesy of the online streaming deal struck with Trackchamp last year.
Clubs at the lower end of the table are the biggest beneficiaries of the new pay scale, the bottom two now guaranteed the €17,000 it must pay in affiliation fees to the FAI.
But it is at the top end, with a UEFA bounty of €200,000 for the three Europa League spots and €550,000 for reaching the Champions League, where the real money is.
Such riches would only help strengthen Dundalk’s dominance — so Kenny must ensure this year that their grip isn’t loosened.
‘People are tired behind the scenes’