The Commentary Box: Horgan continues to roll back the years for Dundalk

Dundalk sent out a clear message to anyone who had any misconceptions that they are a force again in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Even the aristocrats in the Dublin media had to accept that Dundalk are on the way back on the evidence of their form so far. But it was Friday's performance that silenced the doubters.

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Ciaran Kilduff's men are going to ruffle a lot of feathers this season. On Friday, Dundalk held league leaders Bohemians to a 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park. Bohemians had only conceded two goals so far this season.

Gbemi Arubi's levelling goal in the second half was the first that the league leaders conceded at home this season. Indeed, they were lucky not to lose all three points when Arubi missed a great chance for a winner later in the second half.

Dundalk were short nine players who were on the injury list. Vinnie Leonard was still out as he continues his recovery from a virus.

Aodh Dervin was out through suspension, having been given a straight red card earlier last week in the Sligo Rovers game. Conor O'Keeffe was missing. He has been hospitalised by a virus.

Ronan Teahan, Rob Cornwall and Danny Mullen were all out. Norman Garbett has been missing since the start of the season.

First team keeper Conor Kearns is out for the rest of the season. Ciaran Kilduff was so limited in his choices that he had not got enough players to fill his bench.

Enda Minogue once again had a top-class game, answering the doubters as he put in a first-class performance. I have to hold my hand up and accept I was one of the doubters.

But I am really glad to say that since he came in for Conor Kearns, he has been a revelation. Dundalk have only conceded one goal in their last three games. Enda has been in goals for all three.

Before Enda came in for his three games and Peter Cherrie came on for the injured Conor Kearns, Dundalk have suddenly stopped conceding goals needlessly.

Enda is one of the main reasons. He is showing great potential. He made three outstanding saves in Dalymount on Friday. The shots looked bound for the net.

Daryl Horgan was magnificent. I've said it all season that Daryl has been rolling the years back. He continued to do that on Friday.

Mayowa was superb at centre half. The 23-year-old gets stronger and stronger all the time. He missed four weeks of the season after he was injured in Derry.

Since his return, he has really sealed a lot of holes in what was a rather fluid Dundalk defence. Dundalk were rocked just a minute into the second half when Mayowa put in a great tackle.

He sustained an ankle injury and had to go off. But Republic of Ireland under-17 international Sean Spaight replaced him. Sean just celebrated his birthday in the past few weeks.

The Blackrock man moved to fullback with Harvey Warren moving from midfield, and he slotted in to the centre half position.

It's a great time for Sean Spaight. He has been selected for the Republic of Ireland squad under 17 team that faces Poland, Slovakia and Croatia, as they battle for a place in this summer's under 17's in Estonia in the summer.

The under 17's are also chasing a place in the World Cup in Qatar. It was Sean who made the key Cross in the second half for Arubi to knock the ball to the net.

Harvey Warren was excellent at centre midfield and then at centre half in place of Mayowa. Tyreke and JR Wilson were excellent as well.

Robert Burns was so strong in defence. He has also made a great contribution to Dundalk, cutting down on the number of goals conceded.

Eoin Kenny was so effective, especially in the first half. He caused serious problems for the Bohemians' defence. When he was operating on the wing, he had the Bohs defence stretched, like a piece of elastic.

Gbemi Arubi was sensational up front. He not only scored. His work rate was so good. He created a number of chances that caused endless problems for the Bohemians' defence throughout the night.

The Dublin media had Dundalk written off days before the game. It was practically taken for granted that Bohs would win. Well, they did not. Now Ciaran Kilduff's men have shaken the upper echelons of League of Ireland football to the core.

I was very confident that Dundalk would get a result at Dalymount. I would not have been surprised that they could have got the win. They nearly did.

The value of the academy system was there for all to see on Friday. Mayowa has come through the academy system, as well as Sean Spaight and Eoin Kenny. TJ Molloy was on the Dundalk bench.

Former Dundalk academy player Senan Mullen started for Bohemians. He has played for the Dundalk first team in the past while still in the academy at Oriel. Senan plays at centre half for Bohemians.

He is on a season-long loan from Serie A league team Torino. He is from Cootehill in Cavan. After coming through the underage system at Dundalk, Stephen O'Donnell brought him into the Dundalk first team squad in February 2023.

Mullen could have gone to other clubs in Europe on loan. He opted for Bohemians. He linked up with Stephen O'Donnell again, who is assistant manager at Bohemians.

I was glad to see Sean Spaight getting the run. The Blackrock boy has a very proud grandad in Ted Kierans. Ted was a regular caller to me on Fridays last season. He would just say to me to watch out for Sean.

He would say that Sean was an excellent player and that he will go places. Well, Ted is right. I think Sean could make it at a Premier Division club in the UK in years to come.

I said in this column a few weeks ago that Sean deserved his place in the Dundalk team at least now and again. I am glad to see the Dundalk manager turning to Sean when Mayowa was injured. Believe me, he is an excellent player.

Dundalk need Vinnie Leonard back. The Norwich City player will be departing Dundalk in June. He has only managed two games with Dundalk this season. This is because of a virus he picked up.

Vinnie has spent some time in hospital as well. He has shaken the virus. He is still recovering. He is one of the best centre halves I have seen playing for Dundalk, given his age.

It's hoped that Vinny will be available for Dundalk's next game on Friday week against Shelbourne in Tolka Park.

Keith Buckley returned to his old club on Friday. He had an outstanding game. Keith has enjoyed three different spells with Bohemians. He was also club captain.

Last season, he was out for most of the year with a serious injury. He has done well for Dundalk this season. But he missed the entire week before the game with Bohemians.

A phone call from Ciaran Kilduff on Friday morning saw the Dundalk manager checking to see how he was. He got some good news from the former Bohs captain when Keith told him he would be available.

Dundalk were so short of experienced players that Keith went straight into the Dundalk team. He played his part in Dundalk, holding the league leaders.

It's believed, that as it was Keith's old club he was playing against that he decided to line out. Dundalk were lucky he did. It was his long ball from the heart of the Dundalk defence that sent Sean Spaight away and set up Arubi for the Dundalk equaliser.

Ciaran Kilduff told the media after the game that they lost Rob Cornwall through injury and Vinnie Leonard, who has just got out of the hospital.

"Conor O'Keeffe has just gone into hospital, and then we lost Mayowa through injury just after half-time. At that moment, it was just like I turned to Sean Spaight and said let's go.

"Let's throw you in here, and by the way, there is nobody in that club who does not know how good Sean is.

"We got Sean on a contract there not so long ago. He's been involved in every squad at the club this season. But he just has to be patient, and his involvement in the goal was probably a moment of coming of age for him there.

"We conceded from a set piece that we were disappointed with. We were  probably questioning that desire at halftime.

"But to go one-nil down at the home of the league leaders, and for a young player to have the persistence to put it back into a dangerous area with Gbemi scoring was sensational. Sometimes in this league, it is what it is.

"The chance that Gbemi missed shortly after is probably a better move, but it's not as effective as the ball did not end up in the back of the net.

I think Sean Spaight was exceptional when he came on to have a role in the goal. But it's his defending, he's coming up against top, top players there, and he did not look out of place at all.

Dundalk went into the game as top goal scorers in the league, but also having conceded most as well. They left as the second-highest goal scorers. The Bohemians defence was given its strongest test this season.

That was when Arubi cancelled out Hickey's lead goal. The Bohemian's keeper was far more busier than in any than in any of his sides any other league games this season. He took off a succession of fine saves from the Dundalk attack.

He made the stop of the night after just five minutes to deny Harry Groome, who looked certain to score from a deflected Eoin Kenny cross. Chorazka, racing from his line, somehow got his hand to the effort to push it over the bar.

He was lucky when Gbemi's cross from the right evaded the outstretched leg of Daryl Horgan and was headed over the crossbar by Harvey Warren, who was at the back post.

Dundalk tested the Bohemians keeper early in the second half with good efforts from Robbie Burns and Tyreke Wilson. Bohemians led on 20 minutes. Dawson Devoy played a quick free down the left to Markuss Stross.

His cross into the box found Patrick Hickey to send the ball past Enda Minogue. Hickey was totally unmarked. The Dundalk defenders have to take some of the blame.

Dundalk's leveller came on 59 minutes when Sean Spaight's cross into the Bohs box saw Arubi outjump the Bohs keeper Chorazka. This was just a yard from goal. Gbemi nodded the ball through the Bohs keeper's hands and into the net.

Gbemi was denied by an excellent Chorazka save at the back post. Bohs nearly stole it at the end with efforts from Hugh Martin and former Dundalk player Jordan Flores.

Stats from the game show Bohs enjoyed a 58 per cent possession advantage to Dundalk's 42 per cent. Bohs had five shots on target to Dundalk's six. Bohs had six shots off target to Dundalk's three.

Dundalk forced nine corners to the home side's three. Both sides were offside just once during the game. Bohs keeper Chorazka made six saves.

Enda Minogue made four saves. Both sides had a player each booked. Gbemi Arubi was awarded the man of the match by Virgin Media. It was totally deserved.

Dundalk academy player Max Ferguson made the Dundalk bench for the first time. The highly rated player was signed after impressing for Shelbourne FC youths.

Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff says he is frustrated at the goal Dundalk gave away. He says he did not know how his team were a goal behind at the break. ''We played so well throughout the game.

We were always in the game.''We have come back in a few games this season. Gbemi had a great chance to put us 2-1 up. It was a tough night and a good game. Bohs are a good side.

To come back was also good. But we should have won. We have gone to the Brandywell, Tallaght, Eamonn Deacy Park, and Dalymount and got results.

This was after being a goal behind in most of those games. We have great belief in ourselves. I thought it was a great performance.

''We went after Bohemians throughout the game. That is how we managed to get a result from here tonight. This is our identity.

We go after teams. Some visiting here would adopt a policy of defence. Our identity is to try to play good, attractive football. And to get results.

We do have strength in depth in one way. But we were missing 11 players tonight. Enda Minogue had another great game. We have players waiting to come in.

Take Sean Spaight's top-class performance, coming on for Mayowa when he was injured. The break will not be an interference for us at all. They are a talented and highly motivated group.

We are happy to get a breather. When the Rovers game was called off at the very start of the season, it meant that we had two weeks of three games. It's not getting any easier.

We have to go to play Shelbourne for the first game after the break. We have gone toe-to-toe with most teams apart from Pats. We are a highly motivated group. We have lost just once.

''The club now feels like a good place again. I just hope we can continue on that trajectory. We never say no to what we can achieve this season.

And that means we do not rule out going for a place in Europe. We are taking it one game at a time. But I will add we are not afraid of anybody''.

Man of the match Gbemi Arubi says he was just happy to have got a goal.

''We are disappointed not to have got all three points. But this happens in football. It is what it is. I had a chance to capitalise on and get the winner. But these things happen. We had pressure on Bohemians.

"We felt the game was certainly there for the taking. But we are still happy getting the result we got. We will recover from tonight and during the international break, get ready for the game against Shelbourne.''

Meanwhile, it's emerged that former Dundalk manager Filipo Giovangoli could be set for a shock League of Ireland return.

He and a number of other ex League of Ireland managers are in the running for obtaining a job as an Academy Director that are now available in each League of Ireland club.

Filippo was handed the job as Dundalk manager after then owners made one of their many bizarre decisions to sack Vinny Perth in 2020, less than a year after he guided Dundalk to the league title.

Giovagnoli was appointed as Dundalk boss in the summer of 2020. The players met him on a Tuesday. He was on the touchline by the following Friday.

Dundalk were in the Europa League as a result of Vinny Perth's management. But he was now gone, and the role to guide Dundalk through that competition went to Fillipo.

He had not got his Pro Licence, which meant that Shane Keegan had to be officially registered as manager, while Dundalk were in Europe.

Keegan handled the paperwork and press conferences at the European games. Filippo did everything else. Under Filippo. He guided Dundalk to the Europa  League qualification stage.

Dundalk had six games in the group stages. They had six defeats. They were beaten by Arsenal, Molde and Rapid Vienna.

But Filippo deserves great credit in one way to getting Dundalk to the group stages. In November 2020, he dramatically led Dundalk to win the FAI Cup.

But in March 2021, Dundalk decided to demote Filippo from his role as manager. Two months earlier, he had been given a contract to be manager for the following season.

At a pre-season press conference, Dundalk's Director of Football Jim Magilton made a bizarre announcement. First team selection would be made by a number of people, not just Filippo.

Shane Keegan was introduced as manager. All the media were taken aback by the decision. Filippo departed within a few weeks. Who could blame him. He had not been treated fairly at all.

Within a couple of months, Dundalk were struggling on the field. Shane Keegan left. Jim Magilton took over as caretaker manager. But Dundalk were on the edge of the relegation zone.

Peak 6 surprisingly turned to Vinny Perth, and it was agreed he was manager once more. That season in 2021, Dundalk would have been relegated but for the return of Vinny. I personally think Filippo was out of his depth as manager of Dundalk.

However, he was successful on the pitch by winning the cup and guiding Dundalk to the group stages of the Europa League.

A number of senior Dundalk players left the club before the start of season 2021 while Filippo was still in charge. One was Sean Gannon.

For some reason, it seemed that Fillippo did not rate him. To me, he was a top-class full-back who went on to win four more league-winning medals with Shamrock Rovers and one with Shelbourne.

Filippo had never managed a senior league team before. His experience was in coaching youth teams. Fillipo was always courteous and treated the media with respect. How can I have any criticism of him?

Well, maybe when it came to team selection and recruitment for the 2021 season, there may be an answer. But he is a Dundalk FC legend and always will be.

If Filippo returns to Ireland, he will join a number of other listed managers who can go for the Academy manager jobs. The FAI will be paying the salaries of each of the academy bosses.

Keith Long, a former Dundalk manager, is also on the list, as is former Cobh boss Stephen Henderson. All clubs must interview three candidates for the job. I await with some curiosity to see if Fillippo will return.

He was a manager of the club during the COVID ban of supporters being allowed attend games. Thus, he was boss in empty stadiums from Dundalk to the Emirates Stadium in London and beyond. You never know what is going to happen in football next.

To end on a good note, many supporters are comparing manager Ciaran Kilduff's style of football to that of Stephen Kenny. I have to agree. Have a safe week. Look after yourselves and others. Be careful out there.