Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny says he’s not looking too far past the present right now because he wants his players to take some time to enjoy their victory in the EA Sports Cup final. Dundalk etched their name on the first piece of silverware on o
Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny says he’s not looking too far past the present right now because he wants his players to take some time to enjoy their victory in the EA Sports Cup final. Dundalk etched their name on the first piece of silverware on offer this summer thanks to a 3-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium. David McMillan gave them lead after just five minutes before late goals from Patrick McEleney and Thomas Stewart secured victory for the Lilywhites. “It was a tough game,” said Kenny. “Shamrock Rovers played well in the first half but we scored a very, very good goal. We weren’t as fluid as I would have liked us to be but that’s the way it goes. We have won a cup final 3-0, I can’t ask for any more than that. “There is still room for improvement going forward but I am delighted with the win.” Although mathematically still able to land the league title, Dundalk’s only other realistic chance of silverware this season s is the FAI Cup, where they will again meet Rovers in the semi-finals on October 1st but Kenny wants his players to enjoy this moment rather than look too far forward. “We’ll enjoy this tonight. I do genuinely treat every final like it could be our last. You have think of it like that, you can’t take them for granted. You have to go and enjoy them and I say that to the players.” The final score line suggests that it was a comfortable victory for Dundalk but Kenny knows otherwise. “I didn’t feel we were comfortable, I think the first goal was probably important in the game. David got us a great goal. Rovers pressed us and they can mix it up with their style of play so we were never as fluid as we might have been.” Kenny also praised McMillan after his man of the match winning performance. “David has really improved elements of his game. He didn’t score headers two years ago so the amount of headed goals he has scored this year is a credit to him because he practices and practices. Attacking crosses has been a huge improvement in his game and we have seen the benefits of it,” Kenny concluded.
