Stephen Maher believes building “momentum from the start” is the key to Dundalk challenging for a top four place this season, while he is also eyeing an extended run in the cup competitions, after becoming the Lilywhites’ latest arrival when he put pen to paper following Tuesday’s friendly win over Shelbourne. The 21-year-old, who most recently played with Saint Patrick’s Athletic, has been at Oriel Park since the squad began pre-season training on 25 January, and he finally signed a deal this week which will see him remain at the border ground until at least the end of the 2010 season.

‘Big aim’
“I think we have to look at the top four and to progress as far as we can in the cups – I think that has got to be the big aim,” Maher told dundalkfc.com in an exclusive interview. “It’s really just about getting some momentum going from the start of the season, and to get as many good results as we can. The squad is really strong; it seems to be coming along. The training has been really sharp and of a high quality. In the next couple of weeks I’m sure there’ll be more players to add to it, and I think we can be very strong and solid this year. I think we can realistically challenge. I think every club is struggling for numbers, and I think we’re all going to have small squads. I just think if we can get a bit of momentum from the start with good, positive results – and maybe a bit of luck at the start too, like every team needs – I think we can do very well.”

Eyeing improvement
Dundalk are unbeaten in their opening two friendlies, against Athlone (0-0) last Sunday and Shelbourne (1-0) on Tuesday, and Maher believes the side can only improve between now and the league kick-off in three weeks' time. “I don’t think you can really read too much into the first two games, between trialists and lads trying to find their feet with their first game,” he said. “I think as you get closer to the season, you can sort of start making opinions of how the squad is coming along. But I don’t think you can read too much into the first two games. I think we’re all finding our feet at the moment, trying to get our fitness. We have another four or five games to go before the start of the league, and I think we’ll be very solid come then. I can’t wait for the season to start. It has been a long couple of months, so I just can’t wait to get going again.”

‘Massive club’
Dublin-born Maher, whose progress was monitored by Foster since being spotted by the former Liverpool trainee during his Yeovil Town days between 2006 and 2008, is well aware of the importance of the club to the town. “I spoke to the Gaffer before Christmas and it was basically just, 'come in for a week and have a look', and I’m glad just to get things sorted,” the former Republic of Ireland U21 cap explained. “I have a few friends from the town and I know a lot about the club. It’s a massive club in this league, and the fans are very passionate about it.” The youngster, who made his League of Ireland bow with Shamrock Rovers at UCD on the opening day of the 2007 season, has also praised Dundalk’s artificial surface. “I played on it last year and I was quite surprised,” he said. “It’s actually really soft and really nice to play on. I was expecting it to be really hard, and difficult to play on, but it suits me; I really like it. It’s a really great surface.”

Consistency key
Maher was a regular for St. Pat’s last season, and, while he admits his form was “inconsistent”, he is hoping that he can improve from that experience gained from the 2009 campaign. “My form was probably inconsistent last year,” he said. “It was probably a couple of good games and then one not so good, so hopefully this year the consistency can be a lot better. I learned a lot from playing last year; I played 30 odd games, so it was a great experience. We had a great year in Europe, not so great in the league, but I learned a lot from playing in the couple of European games, so hopefully I can take it into this year. I know most of the lads, which makes it easier to settle in. Obviously, I played with Alan (Cawley) last year and I know a couple from playing against them, so it’s nice to know a face or two when you come in straight away. And obviously I’ve got to know the new lads as well, so it’s really good.

Enjoying Oriel
“I’m enjoying it so far,” he added. “I’ve never had to travel so far to training but there’s a few of us travelling up so it’s been really good. It’s not too far, there are four of us coming up, so we take turns at driving each day, so it takes the burden out of driving; it’s not too bad. It’s been a bit of craic, and there’s great banter in the dressing room.” The opening two games have seen Maher operate on the right side of midfield, but he is also at home in the right-back position. However, he is looking forward to working together with a similar player in versatility, Shaun Kelly, this season. “Once I’m attacking, I don’t really mind,” he said. “If the manager wants me to play right-full, I’ll play there, or if it’s the right-wing it’s the same. I know Shauny Kelly is here as well and he’s a very good player, so if we can work together and help each other, it would be great.”

Foster influence
Meanwhile, former Manchester City and Galway United defender Garry Breen, who signed last Monday, also expressed his happiness at joining the club. “I’m very happy to sign with Dundalk,” he said. “Ian is putting together a good squad, so I can’t wait for the new season to start. Ian rang me not so long ago and asked me would I be interested in coming here, and I said definitely. I enjoyed working under him last year and that’s one of the main reasons why I came up here, because I think he’s a good manager and he taught me a lot last year. I thought we done well last year considering the talk at the start of the season of how we’d do, I thought we done very well, for the squad we had as well. I think this season’s aim is to do as Dundalk did last season and higher. If we can push for that fourth place and European spot it would be very good. With the squad Ian is putting together, I think that’s realistic. He’s bringing in very good players and the squad is very strong. I’ve been pleased with the first two games. We had a lot of trialists and it was just getting to know people, how they play and that, and as you can tell by the results, a draw and a win, and two clean sheets – you can’t complain about that, can you.”