LOSING BOSS A HUGE BLOW

ON day two of Stephen O’donnell’s (below) wedding celebrations, it didn’t take long for the mobile phones to start hopping.

The majority of the Dundalk squad were in attendance in Co Clare as their captain tied the knot last Friday.

There were murmurings of whether Stephen Kenny was on his way or not, but confirmation only arrived on the roll over day.

Patrick Mceleney was among them and said yesterday: “About 40 people broke the news because everybody was checking their phones.

“We half knew what was going on. You obviously get wind of it, we’re not silly.

“Listen, he was brilliant for me and brilliant for the lads. He will be missed and he’s maybe been the best manager in League of Ireland history.

“It is big news and people were upset by it but you just have to get together and move on.”

Dundalk’s rivals will queuing up to land further blows next season, sceptical if the champions can scale the heights without their figurehead.

But Mceleney is backing the players to stick to the same principles under the next manager.

Mceleney added: “They’re all rubbing their hands. I would be. It’s a challenge for us. We’ll be ready for it, there’s no doubt.

“It’s a proud group of players and is full of winners - that’s proven,” he said.

“We’re not kids and we don’t need babysitting.

We’re looking forward to the challenge.

“We’re a well-oiled machine and we all know our jobs.”