After almost three-and-a-half months on the sidelines, Dara Keane returned to action in a friendly against Longford Town at the AUL last Thursday night.

The Lilywhites midfielder has endured a frustrating time at Oriel Park after arriving from UCD last December. A groin injury, picked up while playing with the Students last year, has restricted him to just 128 minutes of football – and one start – this season. 

Keane underwent surgery to fix the injury in May and he said his appearance off the bench for the final 20 minutes made the lonely work in the gym all worthwhile.

“It’s been nearly four months since the injury happened,” said Keane. “I had an operation about four weeks after that so I’m about 12 weeks into my rehab programme and today felt like the finishing line. 

“For two-and-a-half of those months, I was in the gym on my own doing my rehab and it can be lonely and tough. I had the physios Danny Miller and Paddy Peters helping me and they got me through it. It’s been a team effort and days like today make it worth it.

“The fact it was a friendly was ideal for me,” he added. “It wasn’t as competitive as a league game and my touch wasn’t the best but it was a chance for me to run around and try and get some fitness back and try and get up to pace again. I was able to feel my way back in which was great.”

Aodh Dervin congratulates Scott Brady after his goal against Longford Town at the AUL. Top: Dara Keane in action against Longford Town. Pictures: Gerry Scully

The 25-year-old’s return coincides with the final series of games and he believes his experience of fighting relegation in the past with UCD could help Dundalk’s survival hopes.

“I’d like to think I can bring something to the team,” he said. “For the past two years at UCD, I was in a similar situation and I’ve been on the right and the wrong side of being relegated so I have experience with that and feel I can contribute.

“I know it’s a sprint to the end of the season but I’m dying to get back and help us get over the line.”

Second-half goals from Bobby Faulkner, Scott Brady and Jamie Gullan saw Dundalk record a comfortable victory over the Midlanders and Keane said it was a worthwhile exercise to keep the squad ticking over ahead of Sunday’s league game with St Patrick’s Athletic.

“The gaffer and the players can take plenty of positives from the game,” said the Waterford native. “We scored three goals, kept a clean sheet and everybody got minutes so we’ll be looking to bring that into the game with Pat’s now.”

DUNDALK FC: Felix Goddard (Ross Munro HT), Dan Pike (Bobby Faulkner HT), Andy Boyle (Cameron Hamilton HT), Hayden Cann (Dara Keane 70), Sean Keogh (Luke Mulligan HT), Scott McGill (Aodh Dervin HT), Koen Oostenbrink (Scott Brady HT),  Norman Garbett (Robbie Mahon HT), Jad Hakiki (Daryl Horgan HT) Sam Durrant (Josh O’Connor HT),  Eoin Kenny (Jamie Gullan HT).