One game at a time as Dundalk continue to defy expectations, says Kenny
Dundalk striker Eoin Kenny feels the confidence is growing in the team after latest victory
Eoin Kenny believes Dundalk FC’s growing confidence and togetherness are continuing to drive the club’s remarkable return to the Premier Division after Friday night’s 2-1 victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
The 20-year-old attacker produced the decisive moment of the game with a stunning second-half strike that earned him the Player of the Match award from Virgin Media Television and helped move Dundalk up to third place in the table.
“It’s absolutely massive. We put in unbelievable work, and I think we’re full value for the win, to be honest. Obviously, I have to watch it back, but I think we deserved to win.
“Danny’s hit the bar. We’ve had multiple chances, and I feel we came out second half really on top and absolutely delighted with the win.”
Kenny’s superb effort 14 minutes from time was worthy of winning any game. Collecting possession between two Bohemians defenders, he spun away before unleashing a left-footed effort that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar, a strike that will surely feature among the contenders for goal of the season.
“It was off the left foot. Daryl Horgan has been slagging me. I’ve been doing Rabonas in training all week, and Daryl’s been saying, ‘Use your left foot.’ He goes mad every time, so that one was for him, just swung it off the left foot and absolutely delighted to get the goal.”
Dundalk were forced to see out the closing stages with 10 men after Declan McDaid’s dismissal, but Kenny said the squad’s resilience and experience helped them negotiate the final minutes without alarm.
“Obviously, unfortunate Decky getting sent off. I didn’t see what it was for, but when you have unbelievable characters that we have, I think that reflects where we are – the likes of Daryl, who’s been with us through everything, the likes of Bucko, the Wilsons, Declan himself.
“The characters we have, you just always believe you can dig out and get results. We’re absolutely delighted, and it was a really big team shift.”
Having been tipped by many to struggle following promotion, Dundalk have instead emerged as one of the division’s surprise packages and sit third after 21 games.
Yet Kenny insisted there is little appetite within the camp to look beyond the next fixture, with bottom side Waterford due at Oriel Park on Friday night.
“We try not to look at the bigger picture. It’s a boring answer, but it is just one game at a time. Waterford will give us a tough game next week, and Ciaran the gaffer gives us unbelievable belief.
“We were favourites to get relegated, and to be where we are is a massive achievement, but we don’t get ahead of ourselves.
“A few bad results, and it can go the other way, so just week by week. We’ll keep believing and go into every single game with full belief, and we’ll see where that takes us.”