Dundalk FC manager says McHale injury is not a major concern

Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff has assured that the injury which forced Sean McHale to be substituted early in the team’s commanding 4-0 home victory over Malahide United in the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup is not a cause for serious concern.

The defender, a recent loan signing from St Patrick’s Athletic, whose manager Stephen Kenny was watching on from the stands, had his Lilywhite debut cut short when he pulled up injured after 18 minutes before being replaced by youngster Vinnie Leonard.

McHale, a 19-year-old who honed his skills on loan with Wexford last season, showed visible discomfort after going to ground without any challenge – but following the final whistle at Oriel Park, Kilduff provided a somewhat encouraging update on his condition.

“I’ll get him properly assessed and see how it’s settled down,” the Dundalk boss told The Democrat. “It’s more of a peculiar one. It’s not your typical, he rolled an ankle or anything like that. It seems to be the sole of his foot, so thankfully it’s not looking too major.

“Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in a lot of pain. It’s not going to be nothing, but hopefully it’s none of the major things. I was worried about his Achilles or something like that. Thankfully it’s not that, but we’ll assess him on Sunday and we’ll see if we can get him back as quick as we can.”

In Kilduff’s competitive managerial debut in the Oriel dugout, The Lilywhites recorded a resounding 4-0 win over Malahide in front of a decent crowd at the Carrick Road venue.

New signings Leo Gaxha and Dean Ebbe, both of whom arrived from Athlone Town, impressed throughout, with the latter capping his debut with a well-earned goal.

“Leo’s a special and talented player with his intricate play,” enthused Kilduff. “He can play in the 10, he can also play on the left or the right. He’s a huge asset for us to have that flexibility and the quality he possesses will cause a lot of defenders trouble.

“Dean doing what he does best. I was only after slagging him a few minutes before, to be ruthless, but two minutes later he has one in the back of net, so I’m delighted for him to get his goal. I’m delighted for him and Leo to be linking up well.

“There was a nice bit of fluid play at times. You’d like to see more of it, but we’re so early in our development, in our evolution, that that’ll hopefully come in the coming weeks.”

Another standout performer, Eoin Kenny, excelled in an unfamiliar ‘number 10’ role, deviating from his customary job as a centre-forward – but Kilduff envisions the 19-year-old as a versatile talent capable of seamlessly transitioning between both positions.

“I spoke to Eoin about it, I think he can play nine or 10,” he said. “You can see the pass he plays for Dervin in the second half, for the third goal.

“He can see a pass. For a big man, he’s kind of silky and he’s deceptively an excellent dribbler. He gets out of trouble sometimes and I think he can do a role there at times.

“I’m far from nailing my team. I’ve had a look at him tonight in the 10 and then he went up front as a nine. He can do a lot, but that’s great. Same as Gaxha, same as Horgan – lads who can flip in and out of positions is important.

“We need to be fluid, we’re not just going to be rigid and play in one position, but I’m delighted with Eoin and the attacking unit.

“Defensively, I don’t know if they had a shot on target. I know we’re obviously the superior team and that, but clean sheets are important and it’ll be where we build from.”