Kenny praises Dundalk's spirit during win over Cork
Dundalk stripped Cork City of their home clean sheet record, their unbeaten home record and any illusion the Lilywhites were going to hand their title over without bearing teeth when they took all three points in front of a packed Turners Cross. For the second time in a week, it was Richie Towell’s goals that made the difference.
Speaking after yesterday’s thrilling game, Dundalk manager, Stephen Kenny, was understandably delighted with his team’s performance. He knew that getting all three points was going to be a real test of the Lilywhites’ metal, particularly when his side went a goal down to send the home support into raptures.
“Considering we went one nil down, to come back and win two-one, well I’m very pleased with that. Turners Cross is a notoriously difficult place to come. Coming here, Cork hadn’t conceded a goal here this season. So to come back from a goal down, and to hit the post twice in the manner that we did, makes it a great win.
“Cork have been on such a great run at home and we knew there’s a lot of expectation because of their new signings tonight. The crowd here were fantastic and it’s great to see that. It’s a credit to the club here – it must be said. It’s a credit to the people for coming and coming out in the numbers that they did.”
Cork’s opening goal came somewhat against the run of play and courtesy of a deflection from Town player Andy Boyle. Kenny admitted that he was puzzled at it but that the response of his team and the timing of the goal was just what the doctor ordered
“I couldn’t work out how it actually went in. I was quite puzzled by it. Someone said it hit Andy Boyle’s studs. It was a soft goal to concede from our point of view. But Richie’s goal just gave us a boost at a critical time, just before half time.”
He was full of praise for man of the moment, Richie Towell and commended his attitude and contribution at the club from day one as well as the entire team’s gumption in fighting back
“What a player Richie is for us. He’s been terrific since the day he walked in the door. I’m very pleased to have him. He has ten goals this season, nine in the league and it’s only the first series of games. It’s terrific.
“We also saw a very good centre forward display by David McMillian. He gave an exhibition of how to play up front on your own.
“It was a good team display. We knew that the momentum from the crowd and getting that goal, the opening goal, wouldn’t make it easy to come back from, but we found a way.”
There’s some respite for Dundalk after a busy period of games. The next game for them is a home fixture against Bray Wanderers on the bank holiday Monday, the 4th of May. The Bray match signifies the end of the first trisection of the league’s three series of fixtures. Courtesy of the three points won last night, Kenny’s men will be top of the table at the end of the first series regardless of how other results go and he couldn’t ask for much more than that at this juncture.