Kilduff praises Dundalk’s character after third straight victory lifts side to third
Ciaran Kilduff praised the character of his team after defeating Bohemains at Dalymount Park
Ciaran Kilduff hailed Dundalk FC’s character and attacking quality after the Lilywhites climbed to third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a deserved 2-1 victory over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
The win, Dundalk’s third in succession, moved the newly promoted side onto 35 points from 21 matches, one ahead of Bohemians, having played a game fewer, and maintained a remarkable record that has seen them suffer just four defeats all season — fewer than any other side in the division.
Kilduff admitted the result had been made all the more satisfying after a late reshuffle to his plans and an early setback when Bohs took the lead through Cian Byrne.
“I’m so proud. What a performance. We got a late tweak to the team as well, with Tyreke kind of breaking down. He wasn’t fit for 90 minutes, so Bucko obviously came in at right-back.
“You go behind early and you’re kind of thinking it’s going to be a tough night for us, but the reaction, and the tweak at half-time, we were outstanding in the second half.
“We had one cleared off the line, Danny hit the crossbar, we got the goal, but we looked a threat all night.”
Keith Buckley slotted in at right-back after Tyreke Wilson was deemed unable to start, and Dundalk recovered impressively from falling behind after five minutes.
Danny Mullen’s equaliser before the break and Eoin Kenny’s magnificent winner ensured the visitors left Phibsborough with all three points.
Kenny, who collected the Player of the Match award from Virgin Media Television following another influential display, received particular praise from his manager.
“I said at the very start that they’ve all got chips on their shoulders. They want to play at this level. You see Eoin there on the biggest stage in our country and the performance he put in, and the goal he scored.
“Eoin’s been threatening that for a long time, even in the First Division last year, but there are a lot of lads showing how good they are, and that’s great from a manager’s and a coaching point of view.”
Kenny’s superb strike, which flew in off the underside of the crossbar, capped another impressive display from the 20-year-old, who has emerged as one of Dundalk’s standout performers since the club’s return to the top flight.
The victory further strengthened Dundalk’s position in the race for European qualification, though Kilduff insisted his side are refusing to look too far ahead.
“I said during the week that we’re in a relegation race, we’re in a title race, we’re in a race for Europe, and we’re not out of any of them just yet.
“But we’re definitely there or thereabouts; we’re hanging around. With the exception of Drogheda, I think we’ve beaten everyone in the country this year. For a newly promoted team, we’re showing that we can mix it with anyone, but it’s just one game tonight.
“We’re on a good run now. We also went through a bit of a blip a month or two ago, but if we can keep going like that, and if we can hit those heights again with that group, anything is possible.”
Dundalk will look to extend their winning run when they welcome bottom side Waterford to Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off, 7.45pm), with Kilduff’s side continuing to exceed expectations in their first season back in the Premier Division.