Ross Munro feels that Dundalk are headed in the “right direction”, after the Lilywhites were unlucky not to come away with more than just one point against Waterford at Oriel Park on Friday evening.
The Scottish goalkeeper, who will turn 24 on Louth Derby Day next month, caught the eye as he collected his first clean-sheet for the club in just his second league start.
However, while Munro’s stunning stop from Padraig Amond denied the Blues a first-half lead, it was his counterpart Sam Sargeant that turned out to be the busier on the night.
Waterford’s English-born netminder saved early on from Robbie Benson but more impressively from Sam Durrant and, late on, Cami Elliott to earn his side a 0-0 draw.
Munro was given the No1 squad jersey, but he had to bide his time after late arrival George Shelvey started on the opening day at Shamrock Rovers and in the home losses to Galway United and Sligo Rovers.
Having come on at half-time in the latter, Munro has grabbed his opportunity, now conceding twice in over 225 minutes, and the Nairn native says that there is a strong relationship between him and Shelvey.
“Goalie is a hard position. You’ve obviously got to stay on the bench and support the other goalie as well, which is what I’ve done with George,” Ross told dundalkfc.com after Friday’s stalemate.
“He came in and did well in his first couple of games and I supported him. Now, it’s trying to do well for the team. We’re both very good off the pitch together – we’re supporting each other all the way.”
8 March 2024; Dundalk goalkeeper Ross Munro makes a save during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk at Richmond Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
The Scot added: “I just wanted to continue from the last game (against Saint Patrick’s Athletic). I thought we did well in that too. It was quite a lucky goal, it just came off me and landed back at him. But I thought today, we carried on that form, which is positive.
“For me, personally, it was just to continue that into this game. I feel we’re going in the right direction of getting good results.”
Munro on the draw with Waterford…
“All the boys in the dressing-room feel that we probably should have put our chances away. Sometimes, it doesn’t happen – you can’t score all the time. But I felt we definitely deserved to get more from the game.
“Sam started and did really well, he caused them a lot of problems and got a couple of good shots off which were very close to going in and putting us ahead.
“It’s just not falling for us now. They’re just not going in, but it’s positive signs, getting shots off and that, so hopefully one day it’s going to turn for us – maybe the next game.”
On the penalty decision…
“I didn’t have the best view of it, to be honest. I’ll look back at it, but the boys said it was a penalty. I didn’t get a clear view of it.”
On the upcoming international break…
“You want to continue playing but you need your break. It can be tough going week in, week out, constant football, so it is important to have your breaks and just get that downtime. To reset mentally as well, more than physically. I’m sure when we get that we’ll be raring to go. We’ll want to continue this form going into the Shels game.”
On his impressions of the League…
“It’s a very good league. I knew a couple of teams before coming here. I knew Dundalk for their European status. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it so far. Every team is solid. I don’t think there are any teams that are a lot better or a lot worse than others. It’s a good competitive league, which is obviously what you want to play in. I’m really impressed with it.”
