Dundalk manager Jon Daly has confirmed that Paul Doyle is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after damaging his hamstring in the Louth Derby win over Drogheda United at Oriel Park.
The 26-year-old midfielder picked up the injury in the build-up to Jad Hakiki’s opening goal and Daly said that a subsequent scan returned some bad results.
“Paul played a vital part in the first goal and got injured in the process,” explained Daly. “Our initial thoughts were that it would be really bad and although it’s not as we first feared, it’s still significant.
“We’re probably looking at six to eight weeks, which is a substantial amount of time at this stage of the season but with the way the FAI Cup games are integrated into the league at the moment, he’ll hopefully be back for a large part of the run in which would be great.
“He was playing really well and I was very pleased with his performances so it’s disappointing for him to be out now for the foreseeable future.”
Daly also issued an update on Dara Keane, who has started just one league game this season, the 2-0 victory over Bohemians in April.
“Dara is probably still around five to six weeks away,” said Daly. “He’s a naturally fit boy so I don’t think he’ll take long once he’s back training but normally when you’re out for that length of time it does take a few weeks training to build yourself up.
“Looking at the way he is, and the work he’s putting in the gym, I don’t think he’ll be very long from initially starting training to getting back playing.
“He’s had a tough time with injuries and he hasn’t had a run since he’s come to Dundalk but he was a very good player when he was at UCD and he’s another one that we’re looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”
Doyle’s injury meant that the acquisition of a new midfielder became a priority and Daly said he was delighted to land the services of Aodh Dervin from Galway United.
“We were looking to bring a midfielder in and when Paul got injured it made that all the more important to get someone in so, thankfully, it kind of lined up that Aodh was available.
“It’s very difficult in this window to get lads who know the league and have quality and Aodh ticks both boxes.
“I was surprised when I was told he was available so it was important we got it done as quickly as we possibly could and to have him available for the FAI Cup tie in Drogheda is a big plus.”
