Lilywhites still confident they can push for Europe

Stephen O’Donnell firmly believes his Dundalk FC side will qualify for Europe, despite losing 2-1 at St Patrick’s Athletic, but recognises that competing with Derry City and Shamrock Rovers is unrealistic, given the current landscape of the SSE Airtricity League.

The loss to St Pats last Friday night saw The Lilywhites slip into fifth in the table, four points behind third-place Bohemians in the race for guaranteed European qualification.

Having played 18 matches already, The Gypsies have a game in hand on O’Donnell’s team, but the Dundalk head coach remains optimistic in spite of their recent dip in form.

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“I have full belief in our group" he said to reporters, after emerging from the away dressing room approximately 80 minutes after the full-time whistle.

“I think we’ve played against all the teams. I don’t think we’ve come away saying, ‘Oh, we’re a good bit off it.’ I don’t think anyone comes away from tonight’s game like that. It’s just an opportunity lost.

“Yesterday was the healthiest we’ve been training-wise. The bench was the healthiest it’s been, so that’s a positive, and we look forward to another three-game week next week.”

A trip to Tallaght Stadium to face Shamrock Rovers this Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm) is next on the horizon for Dundalk and O’Donnell, who understands the criticism he’s faced from a fraction of his own support.

But the Galway native urged any doubters to recognise that financially, the club is not in a position to compete with Rovers, or league leaders Derry.

“Obviously supporters are emotional in regards they want to see their team win,” he admitted.

“The Bottom line is we had two players signed at the back end of last December. We came joint second, third on goal difference. This season there was a big turnover again. Just by the way our squad was, it was late developing.

“It’s where we are as a club in regards, we can’t go and sign the best domestic players. We have to go and be diligent. We knew it was going to be late when we’d do our recruitment this season, just because of where we’re at and what we can attract.

“In the British market, you’re going to have to wait for them to see if there’s any other moves for them in Britain. And then we’ve been absolutely dogged by injuries to our experienced ones, but we’re still competitive.

"We’re in that batch behind it and that’s where we are. So I don’t know what the expectancy was this season.”

In spite of Dundalk’s apparent financial disadvantage on some of their rivals, O’Donnell claims the relationship between himself and the club’s ownership remains as healthy as ever, pointing out improved sustainability in relation to building a team for the future.

“The owners have been great and very supportive, but it’s where we are as a club. And we’re in a far stronger position this year than we were last year in regards longevity of deals as well.

“Everyone last year, bar the odd one, was on a one-year deal. Obviously, we were in the loan market last year as well, but we’re far healthier in that regard from a longevity point of view going into next season. But this is where we’re at.”

When asked about the July transfer window, he continued: “I’m not sure where we’re at in that. But don’t misconstrue this, the owners have been brilliant and I get on great with them. But from a club point of view, there’s teams ahead of us from that side of it.”

With the club recording losses of close to €500,000 in the year 2022, O’Donnell reaffirmed that his sole focus lies with his team’s performances, as opposed to revenue.

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“Look, I’m not talking about our owners’ business, or our finances. I’m the football side of it. I said the owners have been very supportive of me. In regards our targets, they’ve been very supportive in that regard.

“But we can’t go for targets other clubs in the league can go for, that’s just the bottom line. But any target we’ve had, they’ve been fully behind and very supportive. But there is a ceiling to who we can go and try and recruit.

“We still have a very good squad in there. We still have a lot of good young players. As I said, six of the starting 10 weren’t at the club this time last year.

“Three of the back four weren’t here until the back end of pre-season. So, I’m just breaking it down logically. The understanding and the assuredness and the assertiveness will improve as we go.”