ORIEL
WEB - INTERVIEW
ORIEL
WEB - INTERVIEWpictures courtesy of www.dundalkfc.com
Central defender Stephen McGuinness joined Dundalk this Summer from St Patricks Athletic, where he was twice a League winner. In the week after the 4-0 defeat to Shels, McGuinness spoke to Oriel Web about his time at Oriel Park so far, and his thoughts on the progress of Martin Murrays' side to date
It must be said that I did find it hard enough to bed in. It is difficult to get to know people on a personal level when we are not together all the time for training. After home games we have a fair trip home and don't hang around too long, and it's the same for the locals for away games. I always have believed that a good team spirit is worth at least 10 points a season and the chairman and the manager are working hard to develop this as much as possible
Again at the start and particularily the pre-season I found it nearly impossible to train after the hour and a half drive up to Dundalk. When I got out of the car and tried to train I felt drained and in the runs I really struggled. The long runs would be very much my strongest point, but I was near the tail end and really struggling with my back and I felt very weak. Once the training moved to Dublin I was flying again and lead all the runs and after a trip to the doctor I was put on a course of iron. Justin, the very promising reserve team keeper drives to Dundalk now, and I must say I am feeling the benefit now and enjoy training there
To be blunt and honest I hated coming to Oriel because Dundalk always raised their game there. All the times I travelled up with Pats and Home Farm we never won. On the opposite side of the coin, Dundalk never beat any team I ever played with at home and in recent years their away form in the Premier has been the clubs down fall. Hopefully this season will be different, even though, true to form our away form hasn't been great. The other memory I had was the one which I spoke alot about when joining, was when after another defeat in Oriel, 2-0 this time I looked across at the Home dressing room to see no celebrations, just heads hanging. Pat Dolan who wasn't manager at the time came in and lifted our spirits when he said "look at that dressing room. They have just gone into liqudation and transfer listed 6 players, we have just lost one game. Get your heads up and believe in the club you are playing for, as that would and will never happen to this club". We only lost one match after that and won the league. Dundalk were relegated and that image has never left me. Praise must go to everyone who has worked so hard to get Dundalk to where it is now I just hope we as players can match the efforts and keep the club where it belongs
The Dundalk support has been excellent all year home and away. They must remember that as our 12th man, they can really make the difference from a 0- 0 draw to a 1-0 win. I just wish as a player I could get across how important their support is as without them there is no club.They play as much, if not more a part than anyone at any club. To those who don't travel to away games : please make an effort as our home form is excellent, and with your support so can our away form. From a personal point of view I would like to thank everyone who has made me and all the new players at the club very welcome. A special thanks to a group a lads who travelled to the Monaghan game and sung my name before the game. Thanks, as you lifted my spirits on a difficult day
To be honest I have only seen Chris Lawless and a couple of the U21's which played in a game today against us, but from what I have seen, Tommy Connolly is doing a fine job. They are being brought through in the proper manner and himself and Ollie have the experience to ensure they get the proper coaching. The test will be over the next three or four years, to see how many make it into the first team. If you get three or four they will have done a great job
Donal was always a good player. We are both from Finglas in Dublin and I have known him a long time now. Donal's problem was he was signed by Liam Buckley, and when Liam was sacked Pat Dolan had his own ideas about the shape of the team and Donal lost out. This happens at every club : some managers fancy you and others don't.That's just football. Donal, I must say looks sharp this season and has lost a lot of weight. He deserves his place in the team
Just to get one thing straight on this for all the so called supporters who wonder if I get fined for suspensions. One supporter asked me recently( I must say I was shocked to be asked such a question) and I can confirm that YES I do pay for them so you can sleep easier at night now. The suspension thing is both self inflicted and bad decisions. Just to inform people I carried over 10 points from last season. I have been booked four times after playing eleven games and sent off once. Without that carry over I would have missed only one game from the sending off. A lot of the problems are carried over from last season. I have been unlucky as it has been very hard to play a game, then miss one, then play again and then miss two. I believe I have performed OK so far but the best is still to come and with a regular run in the team without suspensions, you will see my best form
To be blunt, no. It takes alot of time to bed people into a system. Just look at Shels, only now are they winning games. Martin is a very good manager but he can only plot the way. It is up to us to ensure that it works. We still need a few additio's and I know Martin is working hard to get the right people in. That said with the current squad we have under achieved so far. Hopefully we will improve : watch this space
This question is difficult, because no matter what I say, I could end up with egg on my face. All I can say is that we will continue to give it our best shot, and our league position at the end of the season will hopefully match the effort which we have put in
No, we should be able to raise our game be it against Monaghan or the League champions. All teams would love a cup run and we are no different. I would hope that we don't just raise our performances when and where we feel like it
It is wide open and Derry have done brillant since we beat them in Oriel. Pats are the only team to beat us at home and if they get their nine points back they would be hard to catch. On Shels' performance last week.We did play poorly but they still looked good to me. They could well push for the title if they keep up that form. They have experience and depth in their squad which will count when the pitches turn and injuries become more frequent. If I was pushed for an answer I would say Pats( depending on the 9 points) and Shels if not
I would like the club at the end of the two years to be in Europe. That would be a great achievement and an ambition that I have as a personal debt, and one that I will repay before my career is finished. At present if I stay longer, it would be down to the chairman, board and manager. I must say I was dissapointed by some comments made from the crowd in the recent game against Shels. Just to get one thing off my chest : I can't speak for every player but it hurts me personally when we get beat because of one thing and another. The results of late haven't been great but just when you're down, you don't need your own fans to push you further. I have one thing to say to the doubters of me and the team : we will prove everyone wrong and stick two fingers up to the people who call themselves supporters and then don't support us. What I have said is only words, and of course action is what is needed. I just hope we can produce what the manager and Chairman has brought us here to do and the real supporters can enjoy our performances
Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to put my thoughts across