Monday 20th January 2025, 08:55 am

Dundalk vice-captain Aodh Dervin wants the new-look Lilywhites to build “a winning mentality”, as they head into their second competitive match under Ciarán Kilduff against Usher Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup at Oriel Park on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tickets are priced at €10 for all areas and, while cash and card will be taken at the gate, supporters are once again advised to purchase their tickets online in advance of the game.

Life under Kilduff began impressively for Dundalk on Friday evening when they swept aside Malahide United 4-0 at Oriel, first-half goals from skipper Daryl Horgan and new No9 Dean Ebbe added to after the break by strikes from Dervin and Aidan Russell Vargas.

The Louth men now have a quick turnaround for another Leinster Senior Cup Group B match, where a second straight victory under the new manager would see them qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare.

“It’s habits, a winning mentality, so we have to make sure that we’re at it,” Dervin tolddundalkfc.com, as he reflected on a very positive opening night – the club’s first win since July – and looked ahead to the Usher test.

“Every game you want to win, pre-season, Cup game, whatever it is. Look, it’s a trophy to win, so that’s what we want to do.”

Dundalk dominated possession against Malahide and could well have had more goals, with substitute Muhammad Haris going close three times after coming off the bench in the 65th minute.

“If you watched the game, you could see what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to play exciting football,” Dervin said, “and excite the fans. Especially after last year, I think they need something to be excited about and that’s up to us.

“The manager said it, there was a stage last year that you didn’t think there’d be another game here, so we’re privileged.

“It’s up to us now to excite them. We’re out of whatever trouble it was. Now, we know what we want to do this year, and we need to kick on.”

On the exciting young players in the squad, Dervin added: “That’s one thing I said when I came in, the standard of the young players is unbelievable. They’re all really good lads; all have their feet on the ground.

“Long may it continue. It just shows what the club is doing here. I haven’t been in a dressing-room where there are that many talented young people.”

Dervin at just 25 is one of the older players in the squad but has taken the responsibility of a leader in his stride.

“It’s a new role, vice-captain this year,” he said, “so it’s about being there for the young lads if they need to talk to somebody, I have to be there to do it. But still, I just want to concentrate on my football. If we’re all on the same hymn sheet, I think it’s going to stand to us.”

While Dundalk beat Malahide 4-0, on the same night, Usher Celtic lost 4-0 to Shamrock Rovers in the other Group B game in Grangegorman.

The Hoops were 3-0 up inside 14 minutes through goals from Richard Vodo and Charles Akimrintoyo who grabbed a brace, with Ajibola Oluwabiyi adding a 33rd-minute fourth.

Team News
Dundalk will be without goalkeeper Enda Minogue (face) and winger Norman Garbett (hamstring). Centre-half Seán McHale (heel), who was forced off early on against Malahide on Friday, and 17-year-old midfielder Luke Mulligan (ankle) will not be risked after they were assessed at training on Sunday.

Nineteen-year-old ‘keeper Sammy Safaei is in line for a first start under Kilduff.

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