Ten years on: Paddy Barrett says, "It was a privilege for me to be involved in that 2016 Dundalk FC team"
Anthony Bravender speaks to former Dundalk FC defender Paddy Barrett as he reflects on the Lilywhites historic 2016 European campaign
There is one memory that stands above the rest for former Dundalk FC defender, Paddy Barrett, when he looks back on the 2016 season.
Barrett believes reaching the UEFA Europa League group stages was a landmark moment, not just for the club, but for Irish football.
When speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, he said: “The first thing I think about when I think of 2016 would be the European run definitely. Of course, we had amazing success in the league and cup.
“But look, the special nights, the travelling and all this, they are the times that you remember forever. You can play in the league and the cup every year, you know, it’s just obviously them European nights are rare, especially back then.
“I think us getting into the group stages was like the kick-off, the start off kind of as Irish clubs started doing it more and more. Obviously Shels last year and Shamrock Rovers kind of every year over the last few years, so it’s amazing.
“That’s probably the one thing I think about when someone says something about 2016.”
The Waterford native was called into the side after Brian Gartland suffered an injury, but looking back, Barrett admits there was pressure, but it was the kind of occasion every player wants to experience.
“I came in and started playing some massive games in Europe when ‘Garts’ got injured. Yeah, I did feel a little bit of pressure because obviously here I wasn’t kind of the main centre back partnership.
“It’s like if things go wrong then we are missing a centre back, but thankfully things went well for me, I managed to play well, and we got massive results.
“That helped me kind of kick-off my own career really, just them big, massive games kind of put my name out there. But I did feel pressure, yes, but also, I enjoy a bit of pressure. It’s enjoyable pressure, but also you want to do well in them stages, you know.
“I think it was easy when you are playing in big stadiums, big fans and atmospheres like we did, but look there was pressure, but enjoyable pressure.”
BATE Borisov
Dundalk pulled off a monumental victory over BATE Borisov in Tallaght Stadium, to secure their place in the group stage.
The first leg was in Belarus where the Lilywhites limited the damage to a single goal despite spending much of the evening defending.
Barrett still describes it as the best 1-0 defeat he was ever involved in because it gave Dundalk every chance of turning the tie around at home.
“The BATE game was an amazing game. Probably what stands out the most was how much we were underdogs because we went over there on the first leg and we got tonked. It was the best 1-0 defeat I was ever involved in.
“I remember slapping a ball off my own crossbar after a few minutes, and just the noise from that stadium and they had so much of the ball.
“I wouldn’t say they had many clear-cut chances, but like here, when you are running around after teams in that heat, and they have the ball for long periods, it makes you feel probably worse than the game actually was.
“So, to bring them to Tallaght and to beat them comfortably on such a big stage, in such a pressure game, and in a game where they are probably thinking this is an easy game for them.
“It stands out that we were such underdogs, and underdogs they don’t always come out on top, but they did that night.
“Obviously, I was delighted to be part of it and another special moment of that night I just remember Andy Boyle being in bits with his back.
“And the minute the final whistle blew I was straight up on him, and he was screaming over his back so that was another good moment.”
Confidence
By the latter stages of qualifying Barrett says they genuinely believed they could beat anyone, especially when playing at home.
“That confidence came from the quality within the squad and the trust the players had in each other. Yeah, of course, during that run you think – when you are playing any team you always want to win.
“I think everything, the confidence, the play, the togetherness, everything about that group, I think we could have played anyone and fancied ourselves.
“Especially games in Ireland, games at home. We fancied ourselves against anyone because we were so confident, we were so good – we had such a good squad.
“Of course, when you go away from home it is a little bit different because you have to kind of manage the game a little bit more.
“The other teams are obviously going to have more of the ball and more chances, but especially at home you do think you can beat anyone.”
Legia Warsaw
While BATE remains Barrett's favourite performance, the trip to Legia Warsaw produced the atmosphere he will never forget.
“The standout game for me was probably the BATE Borisov game in Tallaght. Performance-wise, I enjoyed that game really; that was a great game to be involved in.
“But also, the one away in Legia Warsaw was amazing. Just obviously for the start we had with Robbie Benson’s goal and the atmosphere over there was, I still say to this day it was the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in.
“Wow, like that was an amazing atmosphere and that is the standout game for me.
“I remember them all like I will never forget any of the games, you know, but I think the standout was that. And even the tifo that Legia Warsaw had, yeah that was a special night.
“The result wasn’t brilliant for us, but it was a moment that I will never forget, playing in front of them fans like that and Robbie Benson’s goal also.”
Best players
The campaign brought Barrett up against some of the finest players he faced during his career, and he points to Legia Warsaw striker Nemanja Nikolić as one of the toughest opponents.
“We have come up against some top, top players during them European games, you know. Players that have went on and earned massive moves and so on.
“But I think. your man (Nemanja) Nikolić, I think his movement for Legia Warsaw, his movement was top draw. I think it was probably because we were underdogs as well. A little bit of fear off him as well made him better.
“But like that, he was obviously playing with a top team too, as in he was getting good supply. But for me there was some top, top players.
“Obviously (Vitali) Rodionov for BATE also, he is one that stood out. Just I think he had many appearances for his national team and the hype kind of builds these players up and you are like, Jesus, he is going to be good, you know.
“But here, there were some top players there as well. The Irish lad also from FH Hafnarfjarðar, I think he is a former Dundalk lad (Steven Lennon); his movement was unreal. He was quick, he was sharp, he busted my tooth haha.
“But no, there was some top players there, obviously Nicklas Bendtner was there as well, but there was probably not one standout, they were all top class.”
Barrett says Stephen Kenny's biggest strength before European matches was his ability to build confidence rather than focusing on the quality of the opposition.
“To be fair, Stephen Kenny, any time before games was like he would build you in confidence.
“He would build you in confidence that we were the better team, we were the ones that were going out here and like that, shackles off and just here let's go and see what happens.
“So, it was more of a confidence-building for us and making us kind of the better team when really all the talk is about the opposition and how good the opposition team was and how much favourites they all were.
“But to be fair to Stephen Kenny, his man management and his game management was brilliant in the sense that he was the one that kind of gave us the confidence to go out and perform to the best of our abilities and in the end that worked.”
Dressing room
The 33-year-old believes togetherness was the biggest difference between that Dundalk side and any other team he has played in.
“Yeah, look, that Dundalk team was a special, special team; we had some top, top-class players.
“When you look back at that team, you know there are some players that are still playing and some of the players that were in that team and went on got moves and, you know, were probably top players in this country.
“We had a togetherness; we had a good, good bond between the team. We had good relationships, you know, it was a very, very good team.
“Whereas in, you would call it a team rather than a you or an I. We had a very good bond there and very good relationships on and off the pitch.
“Which ultimately, I think that makes it easier to play when you are playing with lads that are more like your friends for life rather than just some fella that is coming in for a few months.
“We had good stability there and a good core group. Like that, the older lads were good with the younger lads and vice-versa. So that is very important to play and to reach the heights that you need to go.”
Between games
Barrett says some of his favourite memories came away from the pitch, such as travelling together and sharing the experience as a group helped create friendships that remain to this day.
“I don’t have any one favourite moment of them trips, but as in just the laughs, the craic I had. Travelling around, staying in hotels, playing at the biggest stages against the top players and spending time with all the players that still to this day are my mates.
“So, building relationships, kind of having the craic with lads because I know I’m obviously still playing but I know I will miss it when I'm gone is that travelling, the craic, you know what I mean?
“The bus drives, the flights, the just sitting in the airport, they are times, at the time you are like ugh, as in sitting in a hotel or whatever.
“But as an older player now looking back, they are the best times, they are the best times to build relationships with lads, get a good craic out of people, you know what I mean – it's the best job in the world at the end of the day, isn’t it.”
Still remember
European football has become more regular for League of Ireland clubs over the past decade, but Barrett believes what Dundalk achieved in 2016 will always remain special.
“I’m not surprised people are still talking about that team, them runs, that year. It was special – it was special for me as a player, it was special for the team, I’m sure it was special for everyone involved in the club, that made it special for everyone.
“So, for people to still talk about that year was, here I am not surprised, because it was so enjoyable to be in the middle of it all. Obviously, then the hype around it, everything was shown on national television.
“The game has progressed a lot now, and it is kind of normalised now with the likes of Rovers and that playing every week in Europe and on television.
“But back then, you have to think about it for back then, back then what it was, you know, it's special. Again, it was a privilege for me to be involved in it and like that, for sure it will be one of the best years of my life without doubt.”