GEORGIE Kelly outlined the importance of last night’s win in Ballybofey for League of Ireland champions Dundalk.
By Chris McNulty at Finn Park
“We pulled in on Monday and had a good chat about our plans for the season and where we want to get to,” Kelly told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub last night.
“Friday wasn’t good enough for us. Rovers dominated us.
“It was massive for us to bounce back and get the spirits up in the camp.”
Harps gave a good cut of Dundalk, but the champions were still a level above. Pat Hoban scored twice with Michael Duffy and Greg Sloggett also netting.
Kelly said: “The score was maybe a bit flattering. If I was Harps, I wouldn’t be reading too much into that result. We’re just delighted to get out with three points.
“The clean sheet was massive for Gary (Rogers) and the back four. The difference was we were just more clinical. Harps had three or four half-decent chances. They’re really fine margins, even in big results like that, that are the difference.”
A deflected Hoban strike on three minutes put Dundalk on their way, but it wasn’t until Duffy’s second on 37 minutes that Dundalk could breathe a little easier as a battling Harps forced chances of their own.
Kelly said: “The second goal killed the game a bit. Harps had a couple of decent chances and, if they score, they can change the game. Once we got the second, the flow of the game went for us and the gates opened a wee bit.”
Kelly had a big impact with goals in 2019 at Oriel Park, but has been unfortunate as Hoban’s lightening form has curtailed his own volume of starts.
The Donegal native is willing to put his head down and aim to make a real impression on boss Vinny Perth.
He said: “Pat was brilliant again and scored two. He’s had a great start to the season.
“I just have to bide my time and see how the next few months go. I’ll keep chipping away and won’t get too disheartened. We have a busy April, we’re Monday-Friday a lot so hopefully I’ll get some chances then.”
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