He may have only started one game in a Dundalk shirt but Jon Daly believes that Aodh Devin’s influence is already beginning to show at Oriel Park.
After coming on as a substitute in the FAI Cup loss to Drogheda United two weeks ago, the 25-year-old made his first start for the club in the 1-1 draw against Bohemians in Phibsborough last week and Daly said he was delighted with the midfielder’s display.
“I thought he was excellent last Friday at Dalymount,” said Daly. “He literally covered every blade of grass and the energy he brought to the midfield was superb.
“Again, he’s not been in the building long so he’s still getting to know the players and still working on what we’re trying to do but he’s been good.”
Dervin’s first game at Oriel Park is a tantalising one. The Longford native was part of the Galway United side that won the First Division title last season and made 16 appearances for the Tribesmen this year before making the switch to Dundalk in mid-July.
“I’m sure he’ll have a little bee in his bonnet and he’ll want to go out and show them what he’s made of but it’s important that he doesn’t let that get too much in his head,” said Daly. “It’s just another game, albeit an important one for us.”
Dervin is one of nine new players who arrived at the club during the summer transfer window and Daly said he was happy with how they were settling in, albeit in difficult conditions.
“There has been a big turnover of players and it’s never easy when you have that without having practice matches and friendly games to kind of bed in what you’re looking for,” he said.
“We’re trying to find our feet in competitive games that matter and that we need points in. It’s not like we’re 10 points from safety and can ease our way in. We have to hit the ground running and we have to pick up points.
“To be fair, the last couple of league games we’ve picked up four from six and we’re reasonably happy with that but we’d like to try and come out of Friday with seven from nine.”
Three of Dundalk’s next four games are at Oriel Park and Daly believes they will have a significant bearing on where the Lilywhites finish.
“Three of the next four being at home is a positive. The boys are used to playing on the pitch and the fans get right behind the team here. They never let up and they never get on them or criticise.
“They’re always fully supportive and the boys appreciate that and I appreciate that. I think that helps with results and it helps with performances.
“They’re difficult games, there’s no shying away from that. Galway are a tough opponent, then we’ve Derry away and then it’s Pat’s and Shels here, who are two very tough teams.
“Pat’s are the team that we’re kind of looking at along with Bohs but Bohs have a couple of games in hand that they’ll need to get points from but the league is not written in stone just yet.
“There’s going to be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season and it’s important that ourselves and Drogheda drag other teams into it and that it’s not just a fight between the two Louth clubs to stay up.”
