Dundalk FC striker Gullan shines on debut with sublime free-kick

Jamie Gullan had a Dundalk FC debut to remember, scoring a sublime free-kick as The Lilywhites drew 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The 24-year-old forward was one of five League of Ireland debutants named in the starting XI by head coach Stephen O’Donnell at Tallaght Stadium – the others being George Shelvey, Zak Bradshaw, plus fellow Scotsmen Jamie Walker and Scott High.

Despite opening with a new-look team, Dundalk were more than good value for their point at Rovers, who are chasing what would be an unprecedented fifth title in a row.

“I enjoyed being back out there playing football, just doing what I love,” Gullan said afterwards.
“Over the moon to get off the mark on the first game. I think we gave absolutely everything into that game and a point was deserved, maybe on another day three, but delighted with the start.

“I think at 1-0 we hit the post and it was a good move down the right, cross and then hit the post. It’s the fine margins in football, I think it was five minutes later they go and make it 1-1, so it’s wee things like that. If we go 2-0 up, maybe it’s a different game, but who knows?

“We knew it was going to be tough. We prepared all week for everything that they had. We had to because we had a lot of new boys who weren’t familiar with the ins and outs of their team, so we had to prepare properly and I think we put a good showing in.”

Gullan, who is nicknamed Hammer, built a reputation in Scotland for scoring direct from frees for Raith Rovers, and there was little doubt over who would be standing over Dundalk’s set-play on 33 minutes after Daryl Horgan had been fouled by Sean Hoare.

“To be fair it wasn’t discussed,” added Gullan. “I think Scott High (wanted it). I had the ball and I was like, please give me it, so thankfully he gave me it. When it left my foot, I knew it had a chance and thankfully it went in.”

After inheriting the number 9 jersey, Gullan was listed at 25/1 by one bookmaker to end up Premier Division top goalscorer for 2024 in advance of Friday’s game – odds that are sure to be slashed following the ex-Hibernian player’s opening-night strike in Tallaght.

“I don’t look at any of that stuff, that’s outside noise,” he insisted.
“But yeah, one goal in one game, that’s what I want to do this season, chip in with as many goals as possible for this club and just see where we can go.

“You’ve got to fancy yourself to score goals, you wouldn’t be a striker if you didn’t, so I’ll be looking to score as many as I can. Obviously I’m familiar with the striker before, was brilliant for the club, a legend here, so big boots to fill, but I’ll be doing everything I can to put the ball in the back of the net as many times as I can.”

Next up for The Lilywhites is their first home league fixture of 2024 against newly-promoted Galway United on Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm), with Gullan, an unused substitute against Drogheda United in the recent Jim Malone/PTSB Leinster Senior Cup match, looking forward to sampling Oriel Park for the first time out on the pitch.

“We’ll prepare just like we prepared for Shamrock this week and be ready for it. I’m excited to get in front of the Oriel Park crowd. I got a wee taste of it two weeks ago against Drogheda, but a league game is different, so looking forward to that.”