Dundalk attacker Leo Gaxha cut a frustrated figure after his team’s failure to fire in front of goal against Athlone Town and he says he will “work hard in training” as he eyed getting on the scoresheet in Donegal next Friday.
The Lilywhites opened their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division season with a 1-0 win over Gaxha’s former club Athlone at Oriel Park on Valentine’s Night, but having missed a number of chances in the second half, they were left hanging on until the final whistle blew in the 95th minute.
Gaxha’s 57th-minute opportunity was the best of the lot as Eoin Kenny put it on a plate for him at the back post but he inexplicably miscued when he appeared certain to double Dundalk’s lead, after Vinnie Leonard’s first-half header.
Still, Dundalk achieved their objective of three points on the opening day, with the 22-year-old Kerryman particularly delighted for match-winner Leonard.
14 February 2025; The Dundalk FC starting XI before the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division match between Dundalk and Athlone Town at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Gaxha on the win…
“It was great. Three points, a good way to start the season, 1-0, clean sheet, the only thing we’re probably annoyed about is we couldn’t get three or four.
“We all played well and we were on the front foot, but we need to bury teams when we get them chances, especially my one there, I need to score. I’ll work hard in training to make sure I score next week.”
On an even first half…
“We were always going to start fast. That’s the way football is, you start fast and then the game might drift, then you have spells in the game, but I think the main thing was we stuck together.
“I don’t think they had a clear chance, being totally honest, I don’t think they threatened us. It’s good if we can limit teams with that quality to them chances.”
14 February 2025; Leo Gaxha of Dundalk in action during the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division match between Dundalk and Athlone Town at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Emma Gaughran.
On the missed chances in the second half…
“As I said, I have to score. I can only speak for myself, other lads will say the same, we had a few chances. We didn’t score three or four, but we created loads and I think you can see how front-footed we are now and how powerful we are going forward.
“With the quality we have, I think we’ll score plenty this season.”
On his own miss…
“It was a great ball in by Eoin. I just have to score. There’s no excuse there. Whether I slid too early or took my eye off the ball, it’s one I need to look back on. I got into the area. I’ve been working all pre-season getting into them areas.
“It’s about finishing it. There are no excuses. I’m a professional footballer, I have to score.”
On another clean sheet…
“Games are always going to be nervy. That could have went three or four, or they could have nicked an injury-time equaliser.
“The defending the boys showed tonight, as a collective, even us in attack, the way we got back, you could see there at the end, Mayowa (Animasahun), Chief (Conor O’Keeffe), Vinny Leonard and Seán Keogh, and Seán McHale when he comes on, the way they’re defending the box, that’ll get us a long way this season.”
14 February 2025; Vinnie Leonard of Dundalk celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division match between Dundalk and Athlone Town at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
On Vinnie Leonard scoring…
“It was great for Vinnie. I think he got his head near one of the other corners and I said to him ‘you’re going to score Vinnie, just keep getting across him, you’re going to score’. He ended up scoring and I was buzzing for him.
“He deserves it. For a 16-year-old, he’s very level-headed. I believe he’ll go to the top, but he just needs to keep working hard and stay humble.”
On a big opening-day win…
“The gaffer said before the game “three points”. Our aim is to get three points in every game. We have two big away games now, at different ends of the country. We know it’s going to be tough.
“We have to prepare right, as we have been doing, and I’m sure that it’ll take care of itself.”
On settling into Dundalk…
“I absolutely love it up here. I enjoy going training every day, enjoying the matchnights, the fans here tonight, it’s unbelievable. I love it.”
