Dundalk out to spoil the party as champions Rovers visit Oriel Park

A chance to finish the season on a high awaits Dundalk FC as they welcome champions Shamrock Rovers to Oriel Park for their final SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixture on Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm).

With Rovers set to be presented with the Premier Division trophy after the final whistle, the occasion will be a celebration for the visitors, but Ciaran Kilduff is determined that his side will not simply play a supporting role.

Dundalk’s hopes of preventing Rovers from securing the title were ended by results last Friday, taking some of the edge off the contest.

However, with the Lilywhites seeking to arrest a run of just one victory in their last 14 matches, their manager believes there is still plenty to play for as they bring the curtain down on their first season back in the top flight.

Currently seventh, Dundalk can finish as high as sixth, while defeat could see them slip to eighth depending on other results.

They have 42 points, two ahead of Waterford, who travel to Shelbourne, and are level on points with sixth-placed Galway United, who visit Drogheda United, with goal difference separating the sides.

The position represents a frustrating end to a campaign that had promised considerably more at its halfway point. After collecting 35 points from their opening 21 games, Dundalk were just five points behind Rovers, but injuries, changes to the squad and a prolonged loss of form have since seen them fall away from the European qualification places.

Nevertheless, Kilduff believes his side have achieved their primary objective of consolidating their place in the Premier Division following promotion as First Division champions last season.

“The level is so much different to winning the First Division last year. You make a mistake; the ball’s in your net,” he said.

“We played a positive brand. I believe the fact that we got to the point tally we have is due to the fact we were brave. We went after teams. We didn’t come up and suffer. We played a high line. We won the ball high, and we scored loads of goals. And I think that’s refreshing.

“Maybe in the second half of the season, we lost some players through injuries and stuff like that, and with the new lads coming in, it took a little bit of time, and we suffered for that.”

For Kilduff, the challenge now is to retain the positive principles that helped Dundalk establish themselves in the division while learning from the mistakes that have undermined their progress.

“I haven’t changed my way; it’s how I want to play the game. I want to be positive in our approach. But I’ve learned, and as a team we’ve learned, that if you make mistakes at this level, you’re punished,” he said.

“And next year, hopefully, we’ll limit those. We’ll get back to maybe doing what we did right in the First Division, and myself, staff, players and the club will look to get better.”

Friday’s fixture also offers an opportunity to reward a support base that has remained behind the team throughout a difficult second half of the season.

Average home attendances have reached their highest level since 2015, providing further evidence of the renewed connection between the team and its supporters during a season in which Dundalk have celebrated their centenary year.

Kilduff is acutely aware of the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs in recent seasons. While Rovers arrive at Oriel Park as champions, Dundalk have endured significant uncertainty, having come close to going out of existence just two years ago.

The manager is determined to ensure his players approach the occasion with the same attacking intent that characterised their strongest performances this season, even if the title race has already been decided.

“We’ll find our own edge. Our club has been through the ringer in the last couple of years. Shamrock Rovers, in particular, are on the crest of a wave. Dundalk have really suffered,” he said.

“And the fact that we’ve got to the end of a season, when 24 months ago we were nearly out of existence, we’re in our centenary year, we’ll be a Premier Division club, we got promoted last year, and we’ve got the champions coming to our place – we’ll give it a right go.

“We’ll make them earn their celebrations. We’ll get after them, and we’ll have a positive week and try to finish the season on a high because, credit to our fans, players and the club as a whole, we’ve achieved our goal at the start of the season, which was to hold our position in the Premier Division.”

The importance of that achievement is not lost on Kilduff, particularly given Dundalk’s experience of relegation the last time they competed in the Premier Division and Cork City’s return to the First Division after coming up last season.

Avoiding a similar fate was the minimum requirement for a club rebuilding after a turbulent period, and their survival provides a platform from which to improve next season.

“We saw last time we were in the division, we were relegated. Obviously, Cork came up last year and got relegated. We’re thankfully not looking at that fate, so we can finish it with a big game in Oriel Park and try to finish off the season on a high if we can.”