Robbie Benson stated that the Dundalk players were “conscious” of the “unfair” reaction surrounding Noel King’s appointment and they were determined to “represent him well” as they began his reign with an outstanding performance to beat Bohemians 2-0 at Oriel Park.
King was in the dugout for the first time on Friday night having been announced as the permanent successor to Stephen O’Donnell last weekend, and it was the perfect start for him as a barely recognisable Dundalk wiped the floor with their opponents to claim their first win of the season.
Scott High and Benson both netted stunning strikes in a thrilling first-half performance which was easily the team’s best of the year. It could well have been double the two-goal advantage at the break, although Benson was quick to note the importance of George Shelvey’s save from Dayle Rooney’s free-kick which he touched onto the post.
Shelvey also came to his teammate’s rescue in the second half when he saved James Akintunde’s penalty after Benson fouled Declan McDaid, a stop which prevented Bohs from getting back into the game as Dundalk collected their fourth straight home clean-sheet.
Scott High of Dundalk shoots to score his side’s first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
High’s 13th-minute goal was the Lilywhites’ first league one at Oriel Park in exactly six months and set them on the way to a vital victory, as they kept in touch with Louth rivals Drogheda United at the bottom of the table ahead of the upcoming derby.
“He has been relaxed with us but you can see he has got a wealth of experience and he’s competitive,” Benson said about King after the final whistle.
“He wants to win. He was delighted for us there. I think a little bit of the reaction has been unfair to Noel. We’re conscious of that as well, and we want to represent him well and represent ourselves well.”
Robbie Benson of Dundalk celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On the three points…
“It was a great win. I thought we were outstanding in the first half. We really dominated the game, we were two up and probably should have been even further ahead. In the second half, we probably played like a team that hadn’t won and were just hanging on I thought.
“Bohs changed their shape and caused us a couple of issues. The big point in the second half where George made the penalty save was outstanding for us.
“I think everyone put in a good shift tonight. I thought Jamie (Gullan) up front, it was the best he has played for us, he worked his socks off.
“Horgs (Daryl Horgan) was probably the most combative I’ve seen him – he was going into tackles and winning headers, for a small lad, especially late on there where he knew he was probably going to get nailed.
“He still challenged for it, it was brilliant, he won us a free-kick and bought us a bit of time towards the end, which was great. I thought it was Zak Bradshaw’s best game as well. Long may it continue.”
Scott High of Dundalk celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On Scott High’s goal…
“I was joking with him, it looked like he wanted to do anything but shoot. But he had no option because he had so much time. It was a great strike. Scott has played every game for us and he’s been really good. He gives us great energy. It was great for him to get a goal.
“Especially to score here where we haven’t scored all season until tonight, it was great to hear the crowd in full voice again and really getting behind us.”
Robbie Benson of Dundalk scores his side’s second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On his own goal…
“I had a lot more time than I thought. I was debating whether to hit it first time but I ended up taking a touch and then I wasn’t really getting closed down so I had time to take another touch. I caught it nicely and it went in – it was good to see it in the back of the net.
“Like I said, when you hear the crowd roaring here behind you and the team all come in celebrating with you, it’s a great feeling and one that can’t really be topped.”
Dundalk goalkeeper George Shelvey is congratulated by Andy Boyle, right, after saving a penalty from James Akintunde of Bohemians in the second half of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On the Bohs penalty…
“I gave the referee a decision to make. I felt I had my foot planted before he kind of came in. But look, George did great, he was brilliant. We were practicing penalties yesterday, he saved one from me out of the top corner, I said to him that he really covers the goal well.
“He will get a reputation now hopefully for saving penalties and that’s big for opposition players seeing him spread the goal.
“George was confident all night. It was an unbelievable save in the first half from the free-kick off the post at 1-0. That was another huge moment.
“He’s very clever, especially when we’re winning there, delaying things for us, it was really smart from him. He’s a good character around the place, a very happy-go-lucky guy, so it was great for him to get that as well.”
Dundalk manager Noel King celebrates after the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bohemians at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
On the importance of the win…
“We just need to concentrate on ourselves, we don’t need to worry about the league table. We think we’re a match for any team in this league. Bohs are 4th and we were comfortably the better team tonight I felt. In Dalymount, we gave as good as we got in that game.
“St Pat’s here, we probably deserved to win that as well, they’re going alright. We just need to focus on ourselves. We haven’t conceded a goal here in four games. That’s really impressive stuff in any league, to be that comfortable at home. Long may it continue. Another home game against high-flying Shels next week will be a big test for us.”
On next week…
“It’s Friday-Monday-Friday again. The big one for the fans will probably be the Drogheda game on the Monday and they’ll be looking forward to that one, it’ll be a quick turnaround after Shels. But our focus will be on Shels now.
“They’re going really well. I watched them the other night against Rovers, they were probably the better team in the game. It will be a fun game and we’ll be up for it.”
