McCaffrey praise's team's mentality

After securing a draw at home to Shelbourne on Friday night, Dundalk manager Sean McCaffrey was happy to come away with a point. Speaking to extratime.ie, McCaffrey praised his players for their performance and their mentality.

"The performance was good. On a scale of one to ten I would say about seven. I thought we played well, competed well, kept the ball well, created chances and played some lovely football at times. We showed great a great mentality and some mental toughness throughout.

We are pleased about it. Shelbourne are very well organised and are difficult to play against. They're a good side and I am happy with tonight."

McCaffrey was full of praise for his midfield and in particular Stephen McDonnell who excelled in centre-midfield.

"I think the midfield is beginning to come together. Chris (Shields) is playing very well, I thought Walshy (Paul Walsh) done very well tonight. Stephen McDonnell was outstanding. He done well last week against Sligo so he is starting to play very well. John Mountney done very well at right back so it was a good solid performance."

The Monaghan native did feel that a draw was a fair result although he does feel his side could have taken all three.

"A draw was probably a fair result. If it had to be a boxing match then it would have ended in a draw. I am happy enough with the point, it's another point added but I am disappointed we didn't take the three. We had chances and we defended well but a draw is fair."

For the sixth time this season, the Lilywhites failed to find the net. However McCaffrey isn't concerned about the lack of goals and feels that the goals will come with the amount of chances they create.

"It's not a concern because we are creating chances. If we weren't creating chances then it would be a concern. I'd like to get a few goals. If we were to get one or two goals then I feel we can kick on and our strikers can get confidence to score.

After six games, the Lilywhites have a total of six points. A points total which McCaffrey isn't pleased about but is confident when his team get settled they will add to the points tally.

"Not overly happy with the total, I would like more and I feel our performances deserve more. At the same time, I said at the start it will take 10-12 games before we find our feet and get into some sort of rhythm and then we will pick up more points.

You can see that we are getting better, everyone can see the team hitting form and we are improving with every match"
 

McCaffrey also gave an injury update with Mark Griffin another 5-6 weeks away from fitness and Luke Danville will miss out next week. Eoghan Osborne could make the bench next week in the EA Sports Cup while Hernany Macedo is still waiting on his work permit to be granted although that could be through over the coming weeks.
 

Next up for Dundalk is that EA Sports Cup tie against Longford Town on Tuesday night in Flancare Park.