DFC | Drogheda Utd 0–6 Dundalk FC | Post-Match Reaction

All of the reaction from Friday night’s Louth Derby

Stephen Kenny’s 150th league game in charge of Dundalk FC was a memorable one as the Lilywhites put six past their neighbours at United Park on Friday evening.

Below is a round-up of all the reaction from the Louth derby, including quotes from Kenny, David McMillan, Ciaran Kilduff and Drogheda United manager Pete Mahon, along with an audio interview with Lilywhites defender Niclas Vemmelund.

Stephen Kenny’s Reaction

Unexpected scoreline

“We’ve always had tough games here and we’ve never really had a game like that. We’ve beaten Drogheda well at Oriel Park a few times but never here so We didn’t anticipate that. I saw their team and it looked strong on paper before the game so we’re delighted to get the victory.”

Thomas Byrne’s sending-off

“I’d need to see it again but he caught Patrick on the knee. The tackle was quite high but I’m not sure.”

Kept looking for goals

“You’re talking to someone who was deprived of a treble on goal difference. I always say if you get an opportunity then you should keep playing. It wasn’t to do with it being a derby or anything, it was just that players wanted to get on the scoresheet.”

Confidence booster

“Ciaran Kilduff hasn’t scored in a while so for him to get two will do his confidence good and Michael Duffy and Patrick McEleney also go back amongst the goals. It was good for them.”

Consistency

“We have three games next week and we’ll have to work really hard because a lot of teams will be going for the European places. We have to work hard to do it and we need to get points. Limerick, Bray, Shamrock Rovers and Derry are all going well so we have to maintain our standards.

“We’ve set very high standards and there’s a lot of reasons why we haven’t hit those this season. We’ve had some very good displays and tonight was another one but we would need to be more consistent.”

David McMillan’s Reaction

Nip and tuck opening

“It was a typical derby for the first 30 minutes before the referee sent off their man and we really punished them between the red card and half-time and probably won the game in that period.”

Didn’t settle for three

“At half-time we didn’t just want to take a 3–0. We were conscious of not only keeping a clean sheet but of trying to punish Drogheda and get as many goals as we can. This team has always scored a lot of goals and when you get an opportunity like tonight you have to take them.”

His goals

“I was quick to react off Stephen’s shot and get the rebound past the keeper. The second one was a good corner in and Brian Gartland did brilliantly to head the ball back. It was a bit of a scramble and then a lovely ball in by Niclas. Again, it was the right place at the right time. It was a tap in but I’d take that kind of goal all day.”

Eleven goals

“I feel confident going into games that each game I can score goals and help the team. It was good to do that tonight, particularly coming back off the break. We have a couple of big games before we go into Europe and we want to get maximum points. If I can keep scoring and help the team then I’ll be happy.”

Ciaran Kilduff’s Reaction

Two goals in two minutes

“There was a lot of opportunities tonight with the way the game unfolded, them going down to 10 men and the way we played. It was a really good team performance all night and I’m delighted to have made a contribution.”

Confidence

“I probably needed the goals. I haven’t had as much game time as I probably would have liked. The manager is aware of that but Dave McMillan has been doing great so it’s hard to argue at times.”

Europe on the horizon

“The league hasn’t followed the script we wanted this year but Europe is very important for us. We know the carrot at the end of it from last year’s experience.

“It’s exciting times for the club again. Although we’ve had disappointing nights this season we need to look at the bigger picture. There have been some amazing nights in Europe and there’s more to be had.”

Pete Mahon’s Reaction

His side’s poor defending

“The first two and the last two goals were avoidable. The third one was a touch of class but where were our players? Schoolboy defending. It was tight for the first half-hour and after that then it was just men against boys, really.”

The red card

“That’s five sendings-off that we’ve had this year. It’s something we will have to address and young Thomas will have to pay for it. I’ve had a word with him and I’ll have a further word with him too. You can’t do things like that. You can’t go in with a two-footed tackle. The player had the marks to prove it so you can’t condone that. I’ll have a look at it on the DVD and deal with it in detail then.”