Inside Track: Dundalk fans chomping at the bit ahead of new season

Optimism is by far outweighing pessimism as Dundalk FC face into the new season. And there’s expectation as well. That’s easily detected, speaking to the Orielites I know, and from reading local papers.

“I’m really excited,” said a Friday night regular. “It was great that we earned promotion last year, especially as we were playing with an experimental panel made up of experienced players and some very good youngsters.

READ NEXT: Inside Track: Louth’s good win in league opener after a piece of unnecessary game-playing

“But it was a no-brainer that we’d have to bring in new blood to be able to take on Premier League teams and expect to get good results. I think our manager has bought well.”

Ciarán Kilduff has certainly been busy in the marketplace, and could yet make more purchases before the February 22 transfer deadline. But as of now, he’s happy with his lot, having brought in more than a half-dozen newcomers.

There has already been a number of friendlies and a Leinster Senior Cup tie, the latter giving supporters from the Muirhevnamór area of town the chance to see the new-look side in action close up. The area’s astro pitch was the venue, and Dundalk won 3-1. An away match with UCD resulted in another win, 5-1.

If Kilduff’s foray into the market proves itself to be as rewarding as Stephen Kenny’s was when he took over as manager, and in subsequent seasons, then he’ll get along fine.

Richie Towell, Michael Duffy, Brian Gartland, Gary Rogers, Stephen O’Donnell and Seán Gannon, the latter, one of the most decorated players in League of Ireland history. That list can be extended, but sufficed to say, nearly every one of Kenny’s signings paid dividends.

Kilduff, in his first year as manager, worked the oracle. It hadn’t been good at Oriel prior to his appointment. There was boardroom uncertainty, and though things calmed before the season got underway, there was pressure on him to get his untried team back to the top league at the first time of asking.

That goal was achieved in style, Dundalk taking the lead early on and defending it right to the end, opening up a huge gap with the runners-up.

There’s a whole lot fresh at Oriel, new owners, new surface and floodlights stronger than ever before.

All that said, what happens on the field of play that matters most. It’s going to be challenging.

Cash-rich multiple champions, Shamrock Rovers, have, not surprisingly, been named favourites, and quite obviously are going to be hard to beat.

Derry City are bound to be buoyed with the return of recent-year Republic of Ireland International, James McClean, who, although at the veteran stage, will have a lot to offer at The Brandywell and away venues.

Stephen Kenny will be walking on familiar ground when he takes his St Patrick’s team to Oriel, and has happened before, he’ll be plotting against a team with his son, Eoin, included.

The other Dublin teams, Shelbourne and Bohemians, will make Dundalk trips to the capital difficult, and with the Louth derby revived, the shortest journey for an away match will be taken with keen anticipation.

Yes, lots for fans to look forward to.