Patrick McEleney backs Kenny Shiels and Derry City to bounce back

By Gary Ferry

Patrick McEleney insists that the last two results against Dundalk should not deflect from the fact that Derry City are headed in the right direction under Kenny Shiels.

The former City star played a telling role in both games – both 4-0 defeats, one which ended Derry’s participation in this season’s FAI Cup, the other which ended City’s interest in finishing second place.

There has been a real air of disappointment around the club since Sunday’s loss at Maginn Park but McEleney has urged the club’s fans to remain optimistic, insisting they have the right man in charge.

“Derry are starting something and this is their second year into it,” he told the Derry News. “I’ve said it loads of times that Kenny has done an unbelievable job and people need to continue to back him and get behind him because I think he’s going in the right direction.

“Dundalk started the same way with the gaffer and built it up over time and it came to this and got us where we are competing in the Europa league, so I think people should do the same with Kenny Shiels and get behind him.”

McEleney was sensational as the champions dismantled Derry in a one-sided first half which saw Dundalk go into the half time break with the game over as contest at 4-0. Victory for Derry would have put pressure on Dundalk in second place but that issue was quickly put to bed.

“We started really well,” McEleney agreed. “We looked to start well last week and it had the same knock-on effect because I think we finished the game then.

“There has to be that fear factor because they play so well at times and they can really hurt you and they really could have got up the table if they had beaten us. We had to go and do our job and I think we did it very well.”

Cork City, currently 17 points ahead of Dundalk, will be crowned champions with two more league victories, a fact that still hurts Dundalk, who came into the new season hoping to make it four league championships in a row.

A poor start to their defence this year ultimately cost them, but they have now regained their swagger, winning their last four games without conceding a goal and scoring 14 in the process. McEleney admitted that he and his team mates are disappointed that they could not make it a more interesting title race this season.

“We have the two cups and we’ll do everything we can to win the two,” he said. “We’re one game away in the League Cup and we have the FAI Cup which we’re fully focused on.

“We’re definitely capable of playing well and on our way I think we can beat anybody. I still think we are the best footballing team in the league and it’s just unfortunate the way we let Cork get so far ahead. Everyone is still feeling the hurt but we’ll just plugging away and keep playing the right way and see where that takes us.”

Eager

McEleney, who set up Dundalk’s second goal for David McMillan with an outrageous cross with the outside of his right foot, admitted that he had been looking forward to Sunday’s game at Maginn Park for some time.

“I think the last time I was up here I was really poor and I think we were poor,” he said. “I was so disappointed in myself to be honest and I was waiting on this game for a while because I was so bad. I’m happy now with how it’s gone. They are still tough games with Derry because they make you run and they keep the ball well as you seen in the second half so we’re over the moon at coming out of here with this result.”

McEleney continues to be linked with a move to England due to his imperious form at Dundalk. Having returned from Sunderland as a teenager, a return across the water has long been an ambition of the midfielder, and he admitted that he is currently at the right club to make the dream become a reality.

“Anything to further your career and help my family I’ll do but until then I’m a Dundalk player,” he said. “When you go into Dundalk you can only improve. There’s just a feeling in the club and the way everything is run; under Stephen it’s completely different. If you don’t join them and stick to what they do you’re going to get left behind and I think you can see that with Mickey Duffy. I think he’s been the best player in the last two games so long may that continue.”