DUNDALK ARE DETERMINED that the departures of several of the players who helped to bring unprecedented success to the club won’t result in the Lilywhites being knocked off their perch in 2017.
That’s according to manager Stephen Kenny, who was back on the training ground today ahead of what will be his fifth season in charge of the Oriel Park outfit.
Last year, Kenny guided Dundalk to a third consecutive SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title and the group stages of the Europa League. Many of his players were subsequently courted by other clubs.
According to the 45-year-old, Dundalk have lost eight players from their 2016 squad, including Daryl Horgan, Andy Boyle, Ronan Finn and Darren Meenan. However, the Louth club have made some significant additions too.
Sean Hoare and Jamie McGrath have arrived from St Patrick’s Athletic, Niclas Vemmelund has been snapped up after leaving Derry City, while today the signing of former Chelsea youth team captain Conor Clifford was announced.
Many have questioned whether Dundalk will be able to continue their success after losing so many key players, but Kenny told the club’s official website that they’re keen to respond to those doubts in emphatic fashion.
Dundalk began pre-season training this afternoon, just 39 days since their 2016 campaign ended with a 2-1 Europa League defeat away to Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
“There has been some talk that this is the end of Dundalk’s cycle of success,” Kenny said. “Some people feel that we have plateaued and that we will find it very hard. I wouldn’t be writing our obituary just yet. We are ready to go again.
“It’s been a short break of just four weeks since we got back from Israel. We just had the most successful season of any club in the league’s history. It took its toll on some people. We are not ready to give up our league title without a fight. We are absolutely determined to do well this season. We had to work incredibly hard to win the title three years in a row.
“We understand that there are challenges ahead this season. We will make sure that we have a very strong team and we are determined to hit the ground running. We will have a renewed hunger and determination over the pre-season. It’s a quick pre-season so the season will be upon us quickly enough.
“It’s very important that everybody in the group has the hunger and determination to do well. I’m sure that will be the case.”
Dundalk’s bid for a fourth league title in a row starts at home to Shamrock Rovers on 24 February.
