When it matter the most for the Lilywhites, both of
its veterans of many battles delivered a convincing and valuable opening day
win over a surprised Shamrock Rovers squad.
With Oriel Park in
the background and its faithful legion of followers, the defending champions once
again are looking good and poised to net a fourth title in a consecutive way.
For Manager Stephen
Kenny it is back to business and with the knowledge of the upcoming challenges ahead
for his squad, this edition of the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland will bring.
Playing the always
tough and difficult Shamrock Rovers is not a walk in the park and with renewed hopes,
the Dubliners looking forward to return to the league top and claim their lost
glories in the league of Ireland.
Today’s match was not
a walk in the park for both squads and despite the win by the locals at Oriel
Park, Manager Kenny is aware the way his competition will be playing his squad
and improvise when needed when some of his players are injured.
Dundalk was one of
the most reinforced squads after the departure of two of its stars to England’s
Championship side Preston End, which is why during their winter break and preseason,
the Lilywhites went into the task getting new faces.
Coming from last week
hurtful loss in the Presidents Cup, the Lilywhites were in need of a win and
with their first match of the campaign against the Tallaght Boys, this match
became a nerve racking one for De Town bunch.
Not only losing n important Cup match and
trophy but against their arch-rivals the Rebel Army of Cork City, Kenny and
company was poised to make a stand with his squad and deliver the first three
points of this campaign.
To a sold out Oriel
Park showing off a new turf, to come and support its eleven , the locals opened
the score in the 33rd minute via Robbie Benson who always seen as the
man of the hour, with his early goal to open the score.
Ending the first half
with a one-goal lead, the outcome of the second half became a much disputed one
between both squads one looking to tie the match and the locals trying to get
the go ahead or more goals in the scoreboard.
A very contested affair
between both squads at the end the visiting Rovers saw their squad with one
less man after the red card to Graham Burke in the 80th minute plus
yellow cards to Ronan Finn, Trevor Clarke and Darren Menan.
As for the locals too
with three cards accumulated in Sean Gannon, Michael Duffy and Ciaran Kilduff,
shows how this match became a tug of war between both squads looking for the
win on the league first day of operations.
Still the locals
after many challenges from the visiting Hoops, they still managed to get
another ball pass the Rovers keeper Tomer Chencinski, courtesy of veteran
Ciaran Kilduff, which became the go-ahead goal and game winner at the end.
Once again, the old
guard delivering for Manager Kenny three points of gold and now prepare for
next week’s match at the Showgrounds against Sligo Rovers who lost to recently
promoted Limerick FC in an ugly rout.
Despite win for the
Stephen Kenny and his bunch, the bad news of injuries to Chris Shields (groin),
Gary Rogers (calf), David Mc Millan (Kneecap) and Shane Grimms (hamstring).
At the end for
Manager Kenny his experience and with many great players in his bench, for sure
he will make accommodation for next week match and play their rivals with
several new faces to test the waters.
Post Contents and Property of Fern
Mc Costigan © Copyright All Rights Reserved
Crest Credit and Property of Dundalk
Football Club 2017
Photos Credit and Property of
Football Association of Ireland ©2001-2017. All Rights Reserved
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