Hawkins hopeful for Dundalk defence
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While much attention had been focussed on the attacking prowess at Oriel Park this season, Dundalk defender Colin Hawkins is hoping for the Lilywhites to ‘tighten up’ ahead of Friday night’s clash against Bohemians at Oriel Park (kick-off 7.45pm).
Jason Byrne and Mark Quigley had been heralded as a magnificent strike force, with the likes of young Daniel Kearns also expected to chip in, though there had been some pre-season worries about Dundalk’s strength at the back.
They’ve conceded five goals in their opening two games – only bottom of the table Galway United have left in more so far, with three of those coming from Dundalk last weekend – and Hawkins hopes they can be stronger in defence as Pat Fenlon, a manager he has the utmost respect for, visits.
“Pat Fenlon is a super manager,” Hawkins told dundalkfc.com. “There are some very good players still there. They have put together a really good squad, so I wouldn’t rule them out of anything this year. They have got some experienced players and they have got some very good young players, so it’s going to be a really tricky game for us.
“But it’s one we’ll look forward to, and if we can tighten things up there’s no reason why we can’t keep pushing on and stay towards the top. We showed against Rovers, for the first half-hour we were unstoppable, so we have got to keep taking the positives.”
After an opening day defeat away to the Champions, Ian Foster’s men got their first win of the season last Friday, coming out the right side of a 3-2 thriller at home to Galway United. Despite the Tribesmen levelling on a couple of occasions, after a wonderful free-kick from Quigley and a strike from Byrne had given the Louth team leads, Hawkins’ defensive partner Shane Guthrie popped up three minutes from time to earn all three points.
“Super character is the main thing to take from the game. For them to come back and equalise with two good goals, we showed great character to go on and win the game. We were pushing all the time, we tried to play at a high tempo. Fair play to Galway, they really put it up to us, but it is a vital three points. There was pressure on us; even though it was our first home game of the season in the league, we had to get the three points,” Hawkins says.
“We’re delighted with it but there is a lot of stuff to work on, especially defensively, as a team. There is stuff we can do on the training ground, the likes of cutting out throw-ins; Galway were causing trouble from throws and that has happened quite a few times in games, so there are quite a few things we can work on this week. But overall we have got to be delighted with the win and three points.”
Jason Byrne and Mark Quigley had been heralded as a magnificent strike force, with the likes of young Daniel Kearns also expected to chip in, though there had been some pre-season worries about Dundalk’s strength at the back.
They’ve conceded five goals in their opening two games – only bottom of the table Galway United have left in more so far, with three of those coming from Dundalk last weekend – and Hawkins hopes they can be stronger in defence as Pat Fenlon, a manager he has the utmost respect for, visits.
“Pat Fenlon is a super manager,” Hawkins told dundalkfc.com. “There are some very good players still there. They have put together a really good squad, so I wouldn’t rule them out of anything this year. They have got some experienced players and they have got some very good young players, so it’s going to be a really tricky game for us.
“But it’s one we’ll look forward to, and if we can tighten things up there’s no reason why we can’t keep pushing on and stay towards the top. We showed against Rovers, for the first half-hour we were unstoppable, so we have got to keep taking the positives.”
After an opening day defeat away to the Champions, Ian Foster’s men got their first win of the season last Friday, coming out the right side of a 3-2 thriller at home to Galway United. Despite the Tribesmen levelling on a couple of occasions, after a wonderful free-kick from Quigley and a strike from Byrne had given the Louth team leads, Hawkins’ defensive partner Shane Guthrie popped up three minutes from time to earn all three points.
“Super character is the main thing to take from the game. For them to come back and equalise with two good goals, we showed great character to go on and win the game. We were pushing all the time, we tried to play at a high tempo. Fair play to Galway, they really put it up to us, but it is a vital three points. There was pressure on us; even though it was our first home game of the season in the league, we had to get the three points,” Hawkins says.
“We’re delighted with it but there is a lot of stuff to work on, especially defensively, as a team. There is stuff we can do on the training ground, the likes of cutting out throw-ins; Galway were causing trouble from throws and that has happened quite a few times in games, so there are quite a few things we can work on this week. But overall we have got to be delighted with the win and three points.”
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile