Dundalk manager calls on LOI to change rules on internationals

Dundalk FC manager Ciaran Kilduff has called for a revision of the League of Ireland’s rules concerning the postponement of matches due to international call-ups.

Missing five injured players for their SSE Airtricity League First Division clash at home with Longford Town, Dundalk were also without Sean Keogh and Vinnie Leonard, who were called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 and U17 squads, respectively.

As a result, The Lilywhites’ defence on Friday night featured two midfielders, Aodh Dervin and Harry Groome, alongside 16-year-old Sean Spaight, who could also have been absent, as he had been placed on standby for the Republic of Ireland U17 panel.

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“It was square pegs in round holes,” said Kilduff after his side battled to a 2-1 win over Longford. “We were firefighting this week. We haven’t been done any favours as well. There’s frustration because we were losing two lads for international duty.

“It’s no excuse or anything, but that rule needs to be reviewed because now, with the young lads staying here with Brexit, you can’t possibly be going into games missing key players in key moments. Later on in the season, there are going to be bigger games and that can’t go ahead.”

At present, clubs participating in the Premier Division are entitled to request the postponement of a league fixture if two or more players are called up for international duty; yet no such reprieve is currently available for those in the First Division.

“I’m not saying all games have to be called off on an international weekend,” added the Dundalk manager. “There has to be a quota or criteria if you’re missing two senior players. Bohemians got a game called off last year because there were two Estonians playing.

“It is (ridiculous) to a point. I understand the thought process because, in the past, for First Division clubs, it probably wasn’t a big concern since many of them wouldn’t have international players. Now, with the Brexit rules, with players staying here until they’re 18, we’re going to have underage internationals in the First Division.

“Everyone gets injuries, but to have two lads away on international duty playing for Ireland, and for us not to be able to do anything about it—those two boys have started every game.

“Obviously, we wish them well; there’s no issue with that. It’s the biggest honour to be representing your country. I just feel for ourselves, in that game, we were tested a lot, but thankfully for the lads that were here, and in spite of all that, we found a way to win the game.”

Against Longford, Dundalk fell behind for the first time in the league under Kilduff but demonstrated remarkable resilience, staging a comeback to secure a 2-1 victory, thanks to goals from Dean Ebbe and Eoin Kenny, keeping them at the top of the table.

One of the key talking points of the match occurred five minutes before half-time when The Lilywhites were awarded their second penalty of the evening by referee Ryan Maher.

This time, Longford goalkeeper Harry Halwax denied Ebbe’s attempt, but the striker quickly capitalised on the rebound after Leo Gaxha’s initial effort had also been saved.

However, following prolonged deliberation, assistant referee John Hanney raised his flag, resulting in the goal being disallowed, cueing scenes of confusion across Oriel Park.

“If there was (an offside), it shouldn’t take a minute for a flag to be waved,” bemoaned Kilduff. “That was my frustration with it. We were nearly back in our own half when it got announced. If it’s the right result, it’s the right result. I just think there was probably a little bit of frustration as to how they got there, but thankfully, it didn’t cost us.”