Kenny delight with win in 'tough venue'

Dundalk took the bragging rights away from Hunky Dory Park in the Louth Derby on Monday evening thanks to Patrick Hoban's fifth league goal of the season. Speaking to extratime.ie, a jubilant Stephen Kenny was full of praise for his troops as they battled at a 'tough venue'

"We're delighted with that. It's such a tough venue to come to. It was a frenetic opening, the midfield players couldn't get their foot on the ball or get any sort of passing going but we did get going and played some good stuff.
 

"We created some good chances and scored what looked to be a perfect goal. We celebrated and then it was disallowed so the players were flat at half-time and we had to pick them up again and say 'forget about it, doesn't matter let's go again' and in fairness, they did.

"Drogheda United threw everything at us, they're a strong team physically and we were playing up that hill in the second half, we had to deal with the aerial threat that they had but we played very well on the counter attack and Patrick Hoban got the goal with a great finish.

"He's in great form at the minute, it was a great goal."

Dundalk were hampered by a series of suspensions however it made little difference as the replacements proved their worth and the former Derry City boss knows that as he proclaimed the players who come in as 'excellent', in particular Chris Shields and Stephen McDonnell.

"The players that came in that hadn't played in a while were excellent. Chris Shields who has had a terrible time with injury in his knee. He's been the only player really who has been injured for us and he's put his disappointment behind him without any reserve matches or practises because we had to fire him in with suspensions.

"We knew it'd be a battle and we knew that was right up his street and he didn't disappoint. He was outstanding.
 

"Stephen McDonnell did a great job as well. Came in and he hasn't played much but he was fantastic."
 

The Lilywhites travelled in great numbers once again and were the 12th man on the night. Kenny praised the fans and called on them to rally behind the team at home.
 

"A great travelling support and I hope now that everyone can get behind the club and believe in the players. We need to support the team vocally. I always find the away support is brilliant but the at home it can be a little bit flat but I don't think that'll be the case on Friday!"
 

It was put to Kenny that it is a top of the table clash with St. Patrick's Athletic on Friday evening and he admitted that it is 'if we win' before reflecting on the great derby win.
 

"It will be if we win!" He said. "If we don't win then we are a little bit behind. We have made up 10 points on Sligo Rovers, we were 12 points back and we're only 2 now so it shows the progress the players have made.
 

"To win the derby is fantastic because Drogheda United have some good players and they're a good side but you don't get anything easier and we earned that victory."

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