"Hard work is paying off" - Dundalk Head Coach Vinny Perth

In a night where Joey Donnelly’s record was broken by Patrick Hoban, head coach Vinny Perth was full of praise of the staff both on and off the pitch as Dundalk recorded their fourth win in a row as Dundalk fans are beginning to feel that the tide is beginning to turn at Oriel Park.

“It was a good night” commented Perth following the 2-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers “The number of supporters that came in was unreal and they gave the players a boost, winning games of football always makes things a lot easier.”

February 1943 was the last time Joey Donnelly scored for Dundalk in the league and a record that has stood the test of time was broken last night by the man from Loughrea, Vinny Perth noted not only his goals to game ratio but his praise of the quality of the side around Hoban. 

“It’s amazing for Pat, it alright breaking records but to break it at a club of this size and there have been some wonderful players here down the years but to do it in such a short number of games is a testament to the man.

“He has commented to me over the past couple of days since he equalled it to say he couldn’t do it without the quality fo the squad we have had in those years. It’s a real group effort but you can take nothing away from Pat, his performances, his goals. He is a real leader, he captained the side tonight against Shamrock Rovers and to break it tonight is brilliant for him."

Vinny has already spoken on how this squad has been the best that has been ever assembled at Oriel Park and knows that the best is yet to come, while players such as Duffy, McEleney and Shields have taken a lot of plaudits, Perth has hopes for some of this seasons breakthrough players.

“To be fair to the club and the owners they have backed us in the squad. You are starting to see as the team grows in confidence and those new signings are really starting to show confidence. Jordan Flores against UCD looked really at home and he is starting to look at home in terms of his training sessions. Georige Kelly is looking like he is ready to come into the team now. I think we have real strength and depth in the squad and you are starting to see people like Daniel (Kelly) he is a perfect example where when the team plays well when we move the ball as quick as we do then you add him into the mix then we are a much better team then we were.”

Perth had a rough start to his tenure as head coach of Dundalk with injuries to key midfield players but he stressed the importance of key medical staff and the work that very few see behind the scenes at the club. 

“We have a top class medical team and its led by Danny Miller, for Danny to give me back McEleney and Shields in that physical condition. Patrick fitter now than he has ever been at the club and that’s a testament to Danny and David Murphy do. We are in a really strong position in terms of medical staff and it needed to be and it just shows you the support the club has given us with a top class medical team is paying off. “

There is little time to dwell and ponder on the importance of the win for Dundalk against Shamrock Rovers as they face a tricky test in the RSC on Monday. Perth noted the importance of the game and how winning matches breathes confidence in players and the club. 

“Wins breathe confidence and confidence makes you play better and it makes you play with that little bit more freedom. You have seen that tonight but at the same time, I don’t know the team and what team we are going to have on Monday night you never know because it always takes a couple of days to recover and we don’t know the injuries that are ahead. It’s difficult but Waterford, I said to the players that Waterford is our biggest games of the season, you must be ready for it you must be prepared for that game. We will do our business right tomorrow morning, we will recover and train on Sunday. We will pick a team and we are going into a very difficult venue who are a good side and good players we will have a right crack and see where we go.”