The Commentary Box: Let's hope Kilduff has got the Dundalk striker they need

Dundalk bowed out of the FAI Cup last Friday night, when they were beaten by Premier Division side Sligo Rovers by two goals to nil.

Two goals on 51 and 54 minutes, from Jamie McManus and Jake Doyle-Quirk, were enough to put the north-west side into the next round of the cup. For Dundalk, it was the same old story.

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They dominated the first half and the latter part of the second half, but simply just could not score. I brought up the issue of Dundalk needing a good striker so badly with manager Ciaran Kilduff after the game.

He responded quickly, that he felt that he had now solved the issue with the signing of Ronan Vaughan until the end of November from English Championship side QPR. Ronan made just three appearances on loan from QPR at Oxford City.

Oxford City are a part-time club and play in the sixth tier of the English League football system. The fact that Ronan has not yet played for QPR has left me scratching my head as to how the manager is confident that he has found the goal scorer Dundalk need.

Dundalk signed a striker. The manager has not got his signings incorrect yet. Let's hope he has got Dundalk the striker they need.

Ronan may well prove my doubts that he is the solution to the striker's problem at Dundalk wrong. I hope he can. Of course, we have to go with Ciaran Kilduff's decision.

But I wonder would he not have been better chasing a striker from an Irish club rather than going for someone of whom so little is known about. To be fair, Kilduff knows his football.

He has a good knowledge of the game in Ireland and has built up a strong team that has led the First Division from the start of the season. But they have struggled of late.

They are finding it so difficult to score and are also losing games. The defeat to Sligo was Dundalk's second in a row. Supporters can point out that Dundalk were playing a Premier League team.

But this can not be an excuse. Dundalk should have won this game. I have seen in other papers saying it seems that there is not the urgency in some quarters in the club to bounce back immediately to the Premier Division.

The media have based this on the fact that Dundalk have an awful lot to get right off the pitch to get a premier licence next season if they are promoted.

Unless Dundalk fulfill the requirements, they will not get the Premier Division licence. But I believe the people at the top will get everything correct that they have to get right, to get the licence, should Dundalk be promoted.

Dundalk need to get a new flood lighting system installed. There seems to be confusion as to whether they need to install a new pitch. It's been there since 2017.

It certainly does need replacing. But would Dundalk get a Premier Division licence with the current pitch? Maybe they would. There is still an FAI grant available for both pitch and food lighting.

But Dundalk must put an equal amount of money into match the funding. It's a lot of money for a club that nearly went bankrupt at the end of last season.

Dundalk have given clear indications that they will be installing new floodlights. A new pitch may not be a new requirement. But while needed, just from a playing point of view, it's difficult to know if it can be installed given the costs.

The owners of the club will have a lot of work to do off the pitch to secure a Premier Division licence. I just do not know whether or not they will be able to satisfy FAI requirements for the licence should Dundalk win promotion on the pitch.

To be fair to the owners, they have acceded to Ciaran Kilduff's requests and backed him with the finance to get whatever player he needs to get Dundalk promoted this season.

But the stark reality in everybody's mind wonders will the finances be there for Kilduff to build a side that can stay in the Premier Division. To go up and then come straight back down would be a disaster for the club.

They must have the finances to ensure they stay in the top flight next season. Ciaran Kilduff will have to strengthen considerably to ensure Dundalk do not go straight back down.

Dundalk have not lost to Sligo in the cup in well more than half a century. That record is now gone. Indeed, for the second year in a row, Dundalk have been knocked out of the cup in round one.

They have nobody to put the ball in the back of the net for them. This could cost them promotion. Ciaran Kilduff now has a defensive crisis on his hands. Mayowa has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury.

It looks as though he will be out for some time. Sean McHale injured his ankle again. He missed six weeks of the season last time round. He could be out for a while.

Sean Keogh was also injured. It's not known how long he will be out for. He went for a scan over the weekend. Conor O'Keeffe replaced Sean McHale in the centre-half role.

He has been out the past 12 weeks. The previous week, Ciaran Kilduff had said that O'Keefe's head injury had had a setback and that his return would be longer than expected.

However, the news was better early last week when his doctors gave him the go-ahead to ease himself back into the game.

That he had to do against Sligo. But he had to go straight into the game, midway through the first half. Conor was top class. And he had not trained in 10 weeks.

Dundalk lined out against Sligo with just two changes from the side that lost in Bray the previous week. Declan McDaid made his first full start, while Dean Ebbe was dropped to the bench.

Eoin Kenny also dropped to the bench. Shane Tracey came in for him. Thus, Dundalk lined out as follows. Goals Enda Minogue. Two full-backs. Sean Keogh. John Ross Wilson.

Two centre backs, Vinny Leonard and Sean McHale, four midfielders, Daryl Horgan, Shane Tracey, Harry Groome and Declan McDaid. Dean Ebbe and Gbemi Arubi played up front.

McHale was injured on 22 minutes and replaced by Conor O'Keeffe. Paraschiv, Kenny and Ebbe replaced Tracey, McDaid and Arubi on 61 minutes. Sean Spaight replaced the injured Sean Keogh on 72 minutes.

Sligo had two former Dundalk players in their first 11, Jad Hakikii and, of course, Ryan O'Kane. Hakiki got in for an early chance on 2 minutes. His shot was saved by the feet of Minogue.

Sean Keogh had a great run down the left. He got his cross in. There was nobody there to finish the ball off. Harry Groome had a pulsating shot saved by Sam Sargeant in the Sligo goals.

Jad Hakiki nearly scored for Shelbourne again on 28 minutes. Minogue saved. JR Wilson got a great cross into the Sligo penalty area. Once again, Dundalk had nobody there to finish it off.

Gbemi was in a great position to score on 39 minutes. Agonisingly, he had the ball taken off his boot with his back to goal. Right on half time, there was a great move between McDaid, Tracey and Groome. His stinging effort was only inches away.

At half time, stadium announcer Mickey Duffy made an announcement that the referee was threatening to call off the game due to racist abuse being hurled at a player.

Duffy said that if the abuse happened again, the game would be called off. Chief soccer correspondent with the Irish Independent, Daniel McDonnell, says he made follow-up enquiries.

He says a Dundalk fan made an offensive comment about Sligo striker Owen Elding, in relation to his nationality. Owen is English-born and is in the process of becoming an Irish citizen.

Daniel McDonnell says there was never a threat to call off the game. It was a warning that was given. Seemingly, the Sligo player said nothing about the incident to the assistant manager, Ryan Casey.

The manager of Sligo did not make the game after being taken to hospital while in Sligo after becoming ill. He is fine.

The Linesman heard what had been said to Owen Elding, and both clubs were informed. The incident will go into the referee's report.

Dundalk issued a strong statement on its social media channels about the incident. The club say they were disappointed to be made aware of an allegation of incitement to hatred towards a Sligo Rovers player during Friday night's game.

They say that Dundalk FC are a community club and that they pride themselves to being an open and inclusive club. The club say they are proud are to welcome all to Oriel.

The club takes all reports of discrimination seriously. They are fully cooperating with the relevant authorities on the matter.

The club says they stand with the League of Ireland and the club supporters in taking a zero tolerance approach to tackling hatred within the game. Anyone with information are asked to contact the club on 0429335894 or email office@dundalkfc.com.

Dundalk FC are 100 percent correct in the statement they have made. And they would be right to carry out whatever follow-up action they deem fit.

Sligo took the lead in three minutes of stunning football. The first came on 53 minutes. Jamie McManus latched onto the ball 25 yards out. He controlled the ball. Then he fired a screamer of a shot to the net.

There was nothing Enda Minogue could have done. Three minutes later, it was two-nil. Jake Doyle-Hayes made some space for himself. The Dundalk defence froze. He fired a rocket of a shot to the net.

It was to be the goal that knocked Dundalk out of the cup. Dundalk regathered their forces. Arubi had a great shot saved by the Sligo keeper. With five minutes left. Dean Ebbe was put clear. 10 yards out.

But the Dundalk striker could just shoot weekly, and the Sligo keeper saved. Daryl Horgan ran himself into the ground. He had a shot bound for the net. Again, the Sligo keeper took off a great save.

It was not to be Dundalk's night. Overall, I thought they played very well. But I just hope the new signing can put the ball in the back of the net. And I also hope they can strengthen the defence.

Ciaran Kilduff needs to bring Luke Mulligan back into the side. He must be injured. I know the manager has great respect and thinks highly of Luke. If he is fit, he should return.

It was unfortunate for Ronan Vaughan that he did not make the team on Friday night. He was being named in the team. But sadly, his international clearance came through too late. His brother Ethan failed to make the side as well.

He was injured in the practice game against Glebe North during the week. Ethan was signed in January. He missed the entire season through injury. His latest injury is not serious. He will be fit for the Wexford game next Friday.

Manager Ciaran Kilduff said he was very deflated by the result. "We were looking for that moment of quality that would give us the opening. Otherwise, we were just huffing and puffing.

"We thought we could have turned that screw. But it just never came. The Sligo keeper made some great saves as the night went on. There is huge learning in it for us. I am not going to lie to you.

"We not only wanted to win tonight. We wanted to win the cup. You are in a cup; you are going to go full strength to win it. Wexford got to the semi-finals last season. Drogheda were second from bottom in the Premier Division last season.

"They went on and won it. I thought tonight for long periods if that goal came, it would be a very special night at Oriel. We are trying to bring those nights back. But it never materialised.

"The Sligo keeper took off great saves tonight. He was top class for the two-nil win over Derry last week and the two-all draw against Shamrock Rovers. The substitutions we made in the 59th minute gave us a fresh impetus.

"We really had a go at them. Sligo knew that they were in a game. We just did not get the breaks. Conor O'Keeffe did very well for us. It was not the plan to throw him into the game so early.

"He was told by the specialist that he could push on a bit more than expected. He did even better when you realise he has not trained in nine weeks. He only trained on Monday. He did a bit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"We had no option but to bring him in when Sean McHale was injured. Sean Keogh was also injured. I do not know the extent of Sean McHale's injury. Combine that with Mayowa, we have a problem at the back.

"Mayowa's position is not ideal. He has a bit to do until he is back. His scan was negative. But he feels positive. We will get him assessed in the coming weeks and take it from there. We have only 12 games left.

"But I promise you, just as I said in an interview in the first game of the season, I would have taken anything to be in the position we are in now. We know what we have to do now.

"We were hurt by Bray last week, and we were hurt again this week. Sometimes, hurt can be good. Nothing in football or indeed life is easy. Tonight we will hurt.

"Then we are going to get ready to try and put on a good performance against Wexford next Friday. We are after bringing in Ronan Vaughan. He is a striker. He is a number nine.

"But look, we have to trust the players in the middle as well. You are asking me about strikers. But now I have to look at the defenders with the injuries we have.

"We have had four in the last four days. We do not know how serious the injuries are. But I have to ensure that we have enough cover there."

Former Dundalk FC player Ryan O'Kane played a major role in Dundalk going out of the cup. Ryan has made 110 appearances for his hometown club. He departed the Oriel Park club at the end of last season when it came so close to going out of football.

"I went into the game with mixed emotions. But I had a job to do. That was to help get Sligo into the next round of the cup. We knew that Dundalk were on a good run of form in the First Division and that it was never going to be easy.

"We knew what their game plan was going to be. We held out in the first half. We could have done better ourselves. But we went into the second half with the mentality that we could turn any game.

"That's because we can beat anybody. So we came out in the second half with all guns blazing. We picked up the win. We are in the hat for the next round. Dundalk did dominate that first half.

"They just had nobody to put the ball in the back in the net. Oriel Park is a tough place to come to. It's a hostile atmosphere. The pitch here also is not the best.

"The crowd, having a go at me, did not really affect me. It's football at the end of the day. It was always going to happen. I have obviously moved on.

"The crowd may have been trying to get into my head. But look, I have obviously to play my own game, which I did. It was a tough game. Our goal coming here was to win, and we did.

"It was tough for me coming back to Oriel, being from here, and I have a lot of good memories. There were mixed emotions. That's why it was good being back.

"Hopefully, they can get a promotion next year, and I will get the chance to visit again. The two goals we got in three minutes, just after the break, were top class. Jamsie showed great quality on the ball.

"He showed it with his goal. Off the ball, I thought he was superb. Jake was also sheer quality as well. Our keeper has been excellent the past few weeks and took off a succession of fine saves tonight. 

"He has been great all season. We all knew we were coming to a very tough place. But we won and that's what matters. We never thought we were going to just come here and turn them over.

"The pitch especially affected the type of game we wanted to play. We always knew that. I have played here for some time. I know that it is not the most favourable pitch to play on. The bobbles and stuff like that.

"It is a difficult pitch to play on. You can not play your usual game. You can not get the ball down and play one-touch football. The ball is hopping up. You nearly have to watch the ball hopping right up to your foot.

"I know pretty well. But it's for others coming in. Look, we still won. When it started raining, there was a lot more zip to the ball, and that was good.

"Look, we showed our quality in the end. The only other pitch in the country I have played that is astro is at the Brandywell. Again, it's not the greatest pitch either. It's not the greatest surface to play on.

"Most people in the league would agree with that. Look, pitch or no pitch, we still got the win in the end. I am getting regular football at Sligo now, which I was not getting at Tolka with Shelbourne.

"They wanted me to play as a wing-back and not as a winger. I just did not fit into their system. I was told that by then manager, Damian Duff. It's tough to get into the first eleven at Shelbourne.

"Wing-back was not the position I wanted to play in. I was told when I came in that I would be a winger. Look, these situations happen.

"I just told them at Shelbourne that I want to go playing football. That's what I love doing. I am playing regularly at Sligo and am really enjoying my football.

"I was still at Shelbourne when Damian Duff stepped down as manager. I was shocked when he stepped down. I was very surprised. I have no idea why Damian decided to leave. He just came in and told everybody he was leaving.

"It was just like what would happen, what any manager would do when they are leaving. Joey O'Brien stepped up as assistant and is now the manager. He is doing a great job with them.

"Damian just walked into the dressing room and gave us all his best wishes. He wished each of us the best of luck in the future. He said his time was up. But that happens in football.

"A manager moves on. Shelbourne have moved on, and they are flying. Damian brought me into the club, but he was gone after five months. It was a bit of a shock and a surprise.

"But Shelbourne seems to be in a good place. I am on loan from Shelbourne. I will cross the bridge whether I stay at Sligo or return to Shelbourne at the end of the season.

"I am loving my football at the minute. They are playing the type of football that suits me. I am enjoying living in Sligo and I love playing football there. But look, we will have to wait and see what the future holds.

"Dundalk holds a very special place in my heart. I watched them when I was younger. My family has very strong ties with the club. I would never rule out coming back to the club, years down the line, who knows?

"I can not really comment as to whether I would come back any sooner. Right now I am just concentrating on my football. My career has really lifted off now at Sligo. It was a bit stalled for a few months. But I am enjoying it and really love it."

There were 2,038 people at the game. Sligo took two busloads of supporters. The gate receipts are split equally between both clubs in the cup. The FAI gets a small percentage of it as well.

It's back to the First Division next Friday. Wexford at home will be very difficult as the manager faces a serious injury crisis. Have a great week. Please look after each other and remember to be careful out there.