Dundalk target positive finish after Premier Division survival is secured
Lilywhites boss Ciaran Kilduff insists his side must improve over their final two games
A late equaliser secured another season of SSE Airtricity League Premier Division football, but the relief of survival did little to soften Ciaran Kilduff’s assessment of Dundalk FC’s recent form, with the manager insisting his side must improve over their final two games.
Ronan Teahan’s 90th-minute leveller earned a 1-1 draw with Sligo Rovers on Saturday night, mathematically ensuring the Lilywhites could not finish in the bottom two.
However, having won just once in their last 13 league matches, Kilduff was left frustrated by another performance that fell well short of the standards he expects.
“I’ve learned an awful lot over the last couple of weeks about how hard it is. That second half tonight was way off the level,” he told the Dundalk Democrat.
“It took great character and real depth to pull something out of the fire. That was the most important goal we’ll score all season because, of late, we’ve looked like a team struggling to find any confidence or rhythm. But that’s been the way since the summer.
“It is what it is. We’ve achieved our objective, which was to stay in the division, but the second half tonight wasn’t good enough.”
Having been among the favourites for relegation at the beginning of the campaign after winning promotion from the First Division last year, Dundalk have achieved their primary objective. Yet Kilduff was reluctant to take comfort from that accomplishment after watching his side struggle to maintain their level following the interval.
“The positive for the club is that we’ve secured another year as a Premier Division team, having been in the First Division last year. To come up and stay up is a great achievement.
“It’s really difficult to do what we’ve done. I can’t find any solace in that tonight after what I watched in the second half. This club is far too good for that. The supporters are far too good for that. The quality we actually have is too good for that.”
The late point leaves Dundalk fifth on 42 points, although they have played a game more than Derry City and Galway United, who sit sixth and seventh respectively, both a point behind.
Kilduff’s side travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell to face Derry City on Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm) before hosting title-chasing Shamrock Rovers in their final game of the season the following week.
Having collected just seven points from their last 13 matches, the manager is determined to finish the campaign on a more encouraging note, despite the formidable challenges that await.
“I can’t finish the season on that note. I want to finish the season on a more positive footing. It doesn’t get any harder than going away to the Brandywell and then having Shamrock Rovers at home. Our last home game on our return to the Premier Division might make it a nice occasion. I would have taken that at the start of the year – having a say in the title decider.”
“But we have to worry about ourselves. We need to try to get as many points as possible and build confidence and positivity around this place.
“I’m big on our support. I’ve said it enough times: our currency is our supporters. I can’t fault the supporters, but we need to be better on the pitch. Tonight should have been a celebration. We’re now a Premier Division club again, and that brings financial benefits and security.
“It’s a great night for the club. I just can’t appreciate it right now. I’m paid to try to win football matches and to make us better. Of course, I’ll probably appreciate it tomorrow morning. Tonight is a great night for the club – just not for me.”