“We’ve 15 points to play for” says Dundalk boss

Dundalk FC have five games to save their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division status, beginning with Friday night’s fixture with Bohemians at Oriel Park (kick-off, 7.45pm).

Eight-placed Bohs are looking over their shoulders following a 1-0 defeat at home to Drogheda United last Friday night – an outcome that did little to help bottom-of-the-table Dundalk’s chances of survival after they lost 2-1 at Sligo Rovers 24 hours later.

Following Bohs’ visit to town this week, The Lilywhites’ remaining fixtures are against Galway United (away), Derry City, Shamrock Rovers (both home) and Drogheda (away).

“We’ve 15 points to play for,” said Dundalk manager Jon Daly. “The way the games are coming, you’re playing against teams that have a lot to play for.

“Bohs probably can’t push for Europe, but they’ve got a Cup final potentially to look forward to, so players are looking to get in the team there.

“Playing against Galway away is always a difficult game and they’re pushing for Europe as well. Then you’re against two title contenders in Rovers and Derry, both at home, and then Drogheda away, so five massive games.

“After the result for Drogheda, fantastic win for them in Dalymount, we knew we needed to respond (versus Sligo) and I thought we played relatively well in large spells and took the lead. We need to hang on to it and we needed to respond and we didn’t.

“We need to try and as best we can take it to that last game to give ourselves a fighting chance and give ourselves the opportunity to stave off relegation.”

Dundalk players were kept in the dressing room for more than 40 minutes after losing to Sligo at The Showgrounds – a result that stretched their winless run to eight matches.

As the media waited, senior players could be heard making their feelings known, with Daly challenging the younger members of the squad to demonstrate similar leadership.

“It is important, but I don’t think it’s just a requirement for the senior pros, I think everybody has to,” he said. “That’s probably one of the problems is that it’s the same voices, same faces that are constantly trying to drive it, it has to come from everyone.

“It can’t be just three, four, five people really driving it and others then just hanging onto the coat-tails, people need to step up. Where do you go if you do get relegated?

“It’s not a case of, I’m just going to go and find another club. There’s thousands of players out of contract every year. I’m still getting sent players. We can’t sign anyone, we’ve not got the money to bring them in and we’re outside the transfer window.

“But you’re still getting sent players from agents, from people that are looking to try and place players, so it becomes difficult and I think they need to quickly, quickly get results on the pitch to try and save our season and to try and save their own careers I suppose.”