Stephen Kenny: 'Jim McLaughlin is a legendary figure - but equalling his trophy count doesn't motivate me'

Niall Newberry reports from the Aviva Stadium

Stephen Kenny insists he’s not fixated on whether he's regarded as Dundalk’s greatest ever manager after equalling Jim McLaughlin’s haul of eight trophies by lifting the FAI Cup on Sunday.

Dundalk, who were facing Cork City for the fourth year running in the Aviva Stadium showpiece, took the lead through a Sean Hoare header before Kieran Sadlier equalised from the spot minutes later.

The decisive goal came from an unlikely source in the 73^rd minute when Patrick McEleney got on the end of Sean Gannon’s exceptional cross to score what was a rare headed goal for the Derry native.

“It was a good move all round,” the Dubliner told reporters in his post-match press conference.

“Patrick’s not noted for his heading and he hasn’t scored that many headers in his career. He timed his run brilliantly and kept it on target and thankfully it went in.”

The Lilywhites were beaten finalists in the last two editions of the FAI Cup final – both against Cork – and Kenny’s side were determined to set the record straight in front of more than 30,000 spectators.

“It would have been difficult to face going up the road without it today to be honest. I couldn’t even bear thinking about it because it’s our second double and we should really have three doubles, I feel.

“It was important to win that today and to be fair to Cork, you’re never comfortable in a game at all. Even right at the end, they’re still pushing for the goal and there was a bit of a scramble at the end.

“We probably could have made it more comfortable for ourselves but that’s the nature of finals, it’s going to be tough and you don’t get it easy and we’re just delighted to win really.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was just incredible today and more so than the previous three [finals] I thought.

“All the supporters really engaged in the match. It was difficult to predict and there was a real edge to it. It was just a great feeling to win it.

“It was a late enough winner. We’ve won and lost here [at the Aviva Stadium] and when you lose, it’s a lonely place.

“To win it in that manner – playing well, pushing and then eventually unlocking the door, the euphoric nature of winning like that is really special.

“The players deserve huge credit for the way they kept their nerve.”

Kenny has now remarkably guided the club to eight major trophies in the last five seasons, equalling the number that McLaughlin won between 1974 and 1983.

“Jim is obviously a legendary figure. It’s not something that motivates me to try and equal a number of trophies or a trophy count situation. That doesn’t really motivate me at all.

“Just create brilliant moments like that – big European nights, big cup finals and big league wins. Those moments are just incredible. That’s motivation.”