Perth praises Dundalk defensive master-class

Dundalk assistant manager Vinny Perth has praised his side’s showing in a defensive masterclass against UCD but was quick to shun any talk surrounding their table position or upcoming fixtures.

They have now risen to the top of the table following that 2-0 win in Belfield as Pat’s could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Bohemians and although Perth admits his side were not at their free-flowing finest, the three points was all that mattered as he showed praise on the defence

“It might not have been the prettiest but I thought it was one of the best defensive performances we have put in all season and that gave us a platform to build on,” he said afterwards. “That helped us to the win and I think we were worthy and deserving winners although it may not have been the best performance of the season but so be it.

“I always say if you keep a clean sheet then you have a chance of winning any game and most of the time thankfully we win and against UCD it was another clean sheet and Pat’s (Hoban) form at the moment is sensational and he might not have been playing well but all he needs is half a chance and it was an excellent finish from him.”

Although the Lilywhites are now top of the table, Perth insists that is of no real consequence given the fact that Pat’s do have a game in hand and although a massive fixture is looming on the horizon between those sides in Dublin, he also refused to look at any date on the calendar beyond the next game, a Louth derby against Drogheda United.

“I don’t think it is important to be top of the league because you have to take into account that Pat’s play twice between now and our next game and it could soon be the other way around so we will see where that takes us but we are organising ourselves only for Drogheda because I know it is a cliché but we just want to keep taking each game one at a time,” Perth continued.

“Looking forward to Richmond Park or the Carlisle Grounds will get you into trouble. All that matters now for us is winning against Drogheda, local pride is at stake and giving our fans something they deserve in that game, nothing else is being considered.”

When asked what exactly it is that makes this Dundalk side so special as they sit on the summit of Ireland’s finest teams, Perth believes it is a mix of many things coming together to create a unique atmosphere among this group of players.

“It is a combination of a lot of things [this title challenge]. You have the hunger of people like Hoban and Darren Meenan, who has been looking like a top player, and then you have the experience of people like Stephen O’Donnell, Mark Rossiter and John Dillon as well as the manager who have won league titles and trophies.

“Winning trophies is not a big discussion around our dressing room, we are not at that stage. It is only about the next match.”