Amongst the many plaudits, last night for Michael Duffy’s opening goal came from a few rows behind the press box when an over-excited fan claimed: ‘If Messi had scored that Sky Sports would be repeating it for a month.’ The strike was as impressive
Amongst the many plaudits, last night for Michael Duffy’s opening goal came from a few rows behind the press box when an over-excited fan claimed: ‘If Messi had scored that Sky Sports would be repeating it for a month.’ The strike was as impressive in its build-up as well as its execution it was ruthless, powerful and full of technique you feel the ‘Derry Boys’ that are Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney are coming on song, just at the right time. “That’s what we need to do, we needed to come and get the win there has been a lot of games recently so we just need to keep winning,” explained Duffy following the match in Oriel Park. “I was glad to get on the scoresheet tonight and set it up and I just want to do that all the time." It’s been two weeks since the disappointment of exiting the UEFA Europa League and in the past performances post-Europe have been disappointing for the Lilywhites, crucial losses in competitions have meant that Dundalk could lose ground but that wasn’t the case this year. Wins over Finn Harps, Bohemians, Derry City and now UCD mean they have left the disappointment firmly in the rearview mirror, something Duffy is aware of. “We can’t let Europe, you know put us down we know that this can be an unbelievable season for us, if we keep on top with our performances and that what we have done so far. It’s going to be a tough month there is going to be a lot of games. It going to be tough but we just need to keep winning and focus on the next game.” While not tempting fate with the thoughts of an unprecedented treble being muted the ’T’ word is not on the minds of some players. In order to be competitive, the league needs to be taken care of and the focus on maintaining the lead at the top. Dundalk is just taking one game at a time. “Definitely, that’s our main thought really and we just take it with every game that comes, we are not thinking ahead towards the cups or anything when those games come we will worry about them but for now its every important league games, we need to keep our lead at the top and we can’t drop any points at all.” Dundalk now faces two away games in quick succession, a trip to Belfield followed by a Monday night football trip to Sligo. Recovery is key as well as utilising the squad, something Duffy knows that the team is focused on the recovery as well as the football. “We are well used to it, the amount of times we have had to do it this year the Friday, Monday, Friday, Monday and travelling to and from games. Everyone has been professional about it and recovering well all the time that’s what we need to do so. When Duffy went home last night, he has a new face to tell that he scored a wondergoal, Eli Michael Duffy is now a fully-fledged Lily-white as he along with his mother Emily have moved from Foyleside to Dundalk to live with Michael in Dundalk. Along with dog Gordo who has also made the big move down it’s been quite a few weeks for the winger, but he is taking it all in his stride. “No no it’s fine Emily is helping me out a good bit when it comes to match days and stuff, everything is ticking over so it’s all good. She has moved down now so it’s all good, it’s good now and it's comfortable."
