The 25-year-old scored a litany of goal of the season contenders for Dundalk in 2017. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
IT IS NO surprise that Patrick McEleney and Stephen Kenny struck up a winning combination at Dundalk this season, with the manager having given the forward his debut at Derry City aged 17.
But the consistent rate at which the 25-year-old managed to produce goal of the season contenders in the Premier Division this season took everyone by surprise.
It soon became a running gag, with supporters at Oriel Park and elsewhere sitting back in awe at the player’s ingenuity and precision whether from inside the box or striking from distance.
It started with a sweet free-kick against Sligo in May and ended last Friday against Galway with a sublime chip at Eamonn Deacy Park on the final night of the season.
Dundalk finished second behind Cork City in Premier Division this season, played in Champions League qualifiers, won the EA Sports Cup and reached the FAI Cup final for a third year running — while McEleney himself also received the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month award for June.
With the possibility of a move abroad spreading across the gossip columns following his fine form in 2017, McEleney’s goals are there to be savoured. Here are five of his best from this season:
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In a league of his own: here are 5 of Patrick McEleney's best goals for Dundalk this season
IT IS NO surprise that Patrick McEleney and Stephen Kenny struck up a winning combination at Dundalk this season, with the manager having given the forward his debut at Derry City aged 17.
But the consistent rate at which the 25-year-old managed to produce goal of the season contenders in the Premier Division this season took everyone by surprise.
It soon became a running gag, with supporters at Oriel Park and elsewhere sitting back in awe at the player’s ingenuity and precision whether from inside the box or striking from distance.
It started with a sweet free-kick against Sligo in May and ended last Friday against Galway with a sublime chip at Eamonn Deacy Park on the final night of the season.
With each passing week the player managed to concoct a new piece of individual brilliance.
Dundalk finished second behind Cork City in Premier Division this season, played in Champions League qualifiers, won the EA Sports Cup and reached the FAI Cup final for a third year running — while McEleney himself also received the Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month award for June.
With the possibility of a move abroad spreading across the gossip columns following his fine form in 2017, McEleney’s goals are there to be savoured. Here are five of his best from this season:
1. Drogheda United 0-6 Dundalk, 16 June
2. Dundalk 3-0 St Patrick’s Athletic, 18 March
3. Bray Wanderers 0-3 Dundalk, 30 June
4. Dundalk 1-0 Limerick, 10 March
5. Galway United 3-4 Dundalk, 27 October
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SSE Airtricity League Premier Division Dundalk goalazo LOI McEleney Patrick McEleney Wondergoal