BY STUART CONNOLLY

For the first time this season, Dundalk walked away from a game empty-handed. Finn Harps inflicted defeat on Ciaran Kilduff’s team, but Finn Harps captain Tony McNamee pointed out that this win can’t just sit on its own in the corner.

“It’s a great three points,” he started.

“It would mean very little if we can’t back it up though. It’s about consistency now, and we need to follow it up at Treaty United on Friday.

“We’ve played well in patches in quite a few games, but we didn’t get the rewards. The last few weeks, we’ve been knocking on the door, and we kept falling short.

“We’ve created a lot of chances in games, and come away with a couple of draws and defeats.

“If we can turn the draws into wins, and the defeats into draws, then we could go higher up the table. Bray Wanderers turned it around earlier in the season, so why can’t we?”

Finn Harps didn’t see a whole lot of the ball throughout the game, and were put through their paces defensively. That hard work paid off, and they kept Dundalk at bay. On the victory and the defensive display, McNamee said the following: “Do we want a trophy for this win? Of course we don’t, we just want to push on.

“We spoke a while back about going back to basics, and making Finn Park a tough place to visit.

“We showed that tonight (Monday). Dundalk didn’t create an awful lot, and I think that was down to how well organised we were.

“We dropped back, kept our shape, and the times they did break through, some great blocks or saves kept them out.

“When you don’t concede in games, you’ll always have a chance at the win, and I’m so glad Gradi Lomboto dispatched the penalty.”

With three games in eight days, rotation is important for a club at any level. A strong squad is also beneficial, and the latest introduction between the sticks has made a great case going forward. Corey Sheridan, who is in the Northern Ireland Under 17 panel, pulled off two very impressive saves, and McNamee praised the youngster, and spoke of the battle for places.

“He should have caught it,” he joked about his save to deny Eoin Kenny.

“Corey has worked hard all year, and has bided his time. David (Aziaya), Oisin (Cooney), and Shane (O’Gara) all play for that spot, so there are plenty of contenders.

“If you’re not on it, or not working hard, there will be someone waiting for that spot. A few weeks ago, Corey might not have made the bench, but he took his chance last week, and again tonight, so fair play to him.

“There is healthy competition for places in the squad and it’s part and parcel of the game.

“Very few players will play all 36 games, and that can be down to injury, suspension, or maybe even being rested if you have three games in a week.

“We have players who didn’t play at the start of the campaign, and they’re getting their run of games too.

“We have players coming back to fitness too, and hopefully when they come back, there isn’t another name added to the list, but that’s part of the game.

“Recovery will start tomorrow (Tuesday), and we’ll go down to Treaty, where we don’t have the best record, but we have come away with some good wins, and hopefully we can do the same again.”