Impressive display from young Dundalk defender against Waterford

Dundalk FC debutant Zak Johnson put in a remarkable display on Friday night as The Lilywhites drew 0-0 with Waterford in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The 19-year-old Sunderland native was an unused substitute in Dundalk’s opening four league fixtures, but finally got the nod from head coach Stephen O’Donnell on Friday.

And he didn’t disappoint in the absence of the injured Andy Boyle, producing a fine defensive display as The Lilywhites secured their first Premier Division shutout of 2024.

“It’s took a lot of hard work and dedication to make sure that I’m ready for whenever the gaffer needs me, but I really enjoyed it out there,” Johnson said afterwards. “I thought the lads helped me out a lot as well, which was really good. Obviously going at my debut, I was a bit nervous, so the lads made sure that I was okay and really helped me out with it.

“I’m gutted for the lads in a sense that I thought we were the better team. I thought there was a couple of chances where we definitely could have taken the game and got three points. But look, it’s a good point to build on, obviously a clean sheet as well, which I’m happy with. Now we just need to move forward and hopefully get three points.”

It could have been an even better debut in the third minute of stoppage-time for Johnson, who headed wide after getting on the end of a Scott High set-piece delivery.

“I probably should have headed it back across goal, which would probably have been the better decision, give someone else a chance because I was a bit further away from goal.

“I’m just hungry to win the ball when the ball’s in the air. I think that’s a good attribute of mine and I was unlucky obviously not to hit the target or anything.

Like I said, probably the best decision would’ve been to head across goal, but in the moment, you’re just kind of ecstatic, you’re frantic, so there was nothing I could have done about that.”

Barring a loan stint with Hartlepool United in 2023, in which he made 11 English National League appearances, Johnson has been with hometown club Sunderland since the age of six, but has played just two times competitively for The Black Cats to date.

He was Dundalk’s 11th and final signing of the close-season, but says his loan deal from Sunderland, which expires in early July, could be extended until the end of the year.

“I was the last man in,” the former England U18 captain recalled. “I found out that Dundalk were interested a couple weeks before coming, but was a bit sceptical. Being a young lad moving away from home was quite nerve-wracking to think about.

“I spoke with the gaffer and Brian (Gartland), the sporting director, and at that point, I just knew I had to come here and just learn as much as possible from two great people who have had a great career. I’m just really looking forward to kicking on this season.

“I’m here on loan for July,” he confirmed. “I’ll go back July 6th with the possibility of extending it until the end of the season, but we’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”

And what about the town of Dundalk? Well, Johnson has been keeping the ever-growing local cafe trade satisfied, so don’t be surprised if you spot the defender out and about.

“It’s a lovely town,” he said. “There’s a lot of cafe spots. I think that’s what’s great about the team as well. There’s a great togetherness in the team and we always go for a coffee in the town or something. It keeps that team spirit up, which is really good, so it’s been a nice town. I would say 3rd Place is my favourite coffee place, I go there quite a lot.”