Inside Track: Seven points from nine in Dundalk’s three games in eight days

This is Inside Track bringing its Dundalk’s Premier League odyssey up to date. There are three matches to go through. They yielded seven points; with more luck, it could have been nine.

Thoughts of Prague loomed large as we listened to John Murphy and Gussie Hearty coming through on last Friday night week with word on the tie with Shelbourne Park at Tolka Park.

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The Dundalk FM boys were in an ebullient mood as the first half played out. One goal followed another – the second one a real zinger – and when the teams went in for their half-time cuppa, Dundalk showed 2-0 in front.

Second half. Shelbourne pull one back, and then add a second. The sides are level, just as the Republic of Ireland and Czechia were a little over a fortnight earlier. It couldn’t happen again, could it?

No. Whereas extra-time and penalties were needed to decide the Prague tie, this time there was no cause to go beyond the statutory 90 minutes, not that it would have happened had the sides finished level.

Lady Luck didn’t smile on Ireland, but she did at Tolka, Dundalk, grabbing the three points with the help of a late own-goal.

If ever there was an occasion for Murphy to come of his now-familiar bellow: ‘Get into the net, ye boya’, this was it. But he and Hearty seemed a little subdued at the final whistle, but still glad to have seen their pride and joy collect three valuable points.

On to the following Monday night for the game with St Patrick’s. Oriel was well filled for the Easter Monday fixture, a reflection of how well the team has done since moving up to the top tier. There was plenty for the locals to cheer, two goals and a victory that may not have divided a family, but may have led to a prolonged silence.

Back in his old stomping ground, Pat’s manager, Stephen Kenny, was hoping to add to his team’s recent good run, which brought them to the top of the table.

No joy for the former Oriel icon, but lots to cheer his young fella, Eoin. Dundalk won 2-0, earning a victory that pushed a rout at Inchicore in the meeting of the sides in the competition’s first round firmly into the background.

And so to last Friday night, Dundalk having their second home game in succession. Tiernan Lynch brought his underachieving Derry City with him, and if ever the manager needed a fillip, it was in this game.

No expense had been spared in bolstering the Brandywell squad in the off-season. Among the expensive buys added to the teamsheet were the McCleans, James and Paddy, the former the holder of over 100 Republic of Ireland international caps.

Neither of the brothers have set the place alight; on Friday night, the better known of the pair failed to make the first eleven.

He might have been better remaining on the bench. Within minutes of coming on in the final quarter, the former Wrexham player was yellow-carded, and when he again caught the referee’s eye, he was returned to where he had come from.

By this stage in the game, Dundalk were on terms, having twice come from behind to make it 2-2. Radio commentators, Ger Cunningham and John Murphy, were in agreement: Dundalk were the better team on a night when the wind howled and, at times, the rain added to supporters’ discomfort.

But it was still a good night, the point keeping Ciarán Kilduff’s side within touching distance of the leaders. The league has cleared its first quarter – supporters have good reason to be optimistic about what’s to come.

They say things even themselves out. Dundalk were hard done by in some of their earlier matches, in particular the one with Drogheda.

Some luck was available on the night of the Shelbourne match, but overall, a third place in the table is not undeserved.