It is mad how far we have come - Shields on Dundalk success

Dundalk midfielder Chris Shields superbly filled the void left by the Lilywhites’ suspended captain Stephen O’Donnell in their 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Tallaght Stadium last Thursday night.

After the match, Shields spoke with extratime.ie and revealed that it was a fantastic a game it was to be involved in.

Shields said: “It’s great to be part of the first Irish win in a European group game. They (Maccabi) are a good European outfit and they have been in and amongst European competitions now for a few years and you have to expect the quality that they are going to have.”

At the interval the game was scoreless despite the County Louth side dominating the first 45 minutes. Shields revealed the thoughts of the Dundalk dressing room ahead of the second-half.

“After two minutes, we got a chance and we were unlucky not to be 1-0 up. At half-time, we felt that we could have maybe been two or three up. Though, we felt that it was important to keep our shape and our heads going into the second half.”

Ciaran Kilduff’s injury-ravaged campaign has been well documented recently especially following his equaliser in Alkmaar on the opening night of the Europa League.

Shields feels that his impact, coming back from injury, epitomises the unity that is in the Lilywhites’ camp. What a night it was for Kilduff, who celebrated his birthday with a goal and another dramatic Dundalk victory.

“I’m delighted for him (Kilduff) because it also shows the strength of the squad. Our most influential player Stephen (O’Donnell) wasn’t playing and that just shows the great unit that we are.”

Shields and midfielder John Mountney were part of a Dundalk team that got annihilated 7-0 by Shamrock Rovers four years ago this week at the Tallaght venue which their club has now made their home for the Europa League group stages.

The centre-field powerhouse, who was extratime.ie’s Man of the Match, smiled when recalling the club’s transformation since then, and what they are still looking to achieve with a cup semi-final coming this coming Sunday.

“It’s mad how far we have come. Myself and John were part of that team and look at us now I suppose.

“We can enjoy it tonight, but it’s back into work in the morning before Derry on Sunday because we want to be in the Aviva on November 6^th.”