Defender Archie Davies says that football is “massively a game of momentum” and he is confident that one win will turn the tide for Dundalk.
Rooted to the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table having gone winless in their opening five games, the Lilywhites face a crucial Easter weekend.
First up is a trip to league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Good Friday, before Drogheda United, who sit two points above Dundalk, visit Oriel Park on Easter Monday.
Shels have rattled off five wins on the spin to shoot five points clear at the top, and Davies hopes that Stephen O’Donnell’s side can embark on a fruitful run of their own once they get their first victory.
“It’s massively a game of momentum sometimes. Even getting your first goal, as a striker, you’ll get two or three. I think it will be the same points-wise,” the 25-year-old told dundalkfc.com.
“I think with one win we’ll have a lot more belief in ourselves and then I think the points will naturally just keep coming.
“Obviously, Friday-Monday is busy. We’ll have to be at our best. Hopefully, we will get a result on Friday, a quick recovery and then the derby on Monday is another big one, where there’s more incentive to win playing against Drogheda.”
Davies made his 50th appearance for the club, 40 of which have come in the Premier Division, in the scoreless draw with Waterford at Oriel Park just before the international break.
Speaking on that, the right-back said: “It’s gone quick. Fifty appearances is good, it’s a nice little milestone and something to add to my little collection. I’m proud of that.”
Archie Davies has made 50 appearances for the club since his arrival in January 2023. Photo by Ciaran Culligan
Archie on the international break…
“I think the break did maybe come at a good time for us. We had time to sit back and reflect. Now, we’re all focussed on getting the season underway with three points.”
Archie on Shelbourne…
“They’ve always been tightly-contested games, good tests between us. There’s not been too much in them.
“Credit to Shelbourne, they’ve been very good so far this season. They’ve come up with some good results. The momentum is with them right now and we just need to find a way to swing it our way. We still believe that we have better quality within the squad. We’ll be confident going into Friday.”
Archie on Easter Monday’s Louth Derby…
“If we win on Friday, we’ll be full of confidence going into Monday. We’ll take it a game at a time. We’re all focused on Shelbourne right now. The Drogheda game will come after. We’re looking to go to Tolka and get a good result.”
Archie on the 1pm kick-off on Monday…
“I think Monday at 1 o’clock is definitely a first. Growing up, you found Saturday mornings if anything. Back in England, you had the Saturday at three o’clock.
“Monday will be a different one – it’ll be having your pre-match meal at God knows what time, half 10 or 11am! There’s nothing you can do about that. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. Friday is our main focus”
