Robbie Benson says it is a “positive sign” to have seen disappointment in the Dundalk dressing-room after they extended their unbeaten run at Oriel Park to five games following a scoreless draw with league leaders Shelbourne on Friday night.
Noel King has taken four points from his two games in charge and has yet to concede a goal, but it could have been the maximum return had Dundalk made their first-half dominance count against Damien Duff’s side.
Benson produced the Lilywhites’ best moment of a more even second half when he rifled just off target, although they almost lost it at the end when George Shelvey was called upon to make a smart save from substitute Seán Boyd.
The draw moves Dundalk to within two points of Drogheda United at the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table ahead of Bank Holiday Monday’s Louth Derby at Weavers Park (kick-off 1pm).
Robbie Benson of Dundalk and John Martin of Shelbourne during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
A victory on Boyneside would see Dundalk rise off the foot of the standings for the first time in two months, Benson agreeing that that is a “big carrot”, with the experienced midfielder pleased to see the reaction of his team despite drawing with the table toppers.
“It is (a big carrot). We’re just taking it a game at a time. We hadn’t even considered the Drogheda game. Our full focus was on Shelbourne. It was a game that we felt we could get three points in,” Benson, who turns 32 on Tuesday, said afterwards.
“There’s probably a sense in the dressing-room there that we’re a little disappointed that we couldn’t get the win. That’s a positive sign, and if we can keep the effort, intensity and the play that we’re doing now, we’ll be okay and we’ll start climbing up the table.”
Robbie Benson of Dundalk in action against JJ Lunney of Shelbourne during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully
On the performance against Shels…
“I thought we were the better team tonight, we looked the more threatening throughout. They built up well deep but they didn’t really cause us too many issues. We were comfortable enough.
“We’re disappointed. In saying that, we didn’t really create a real clear-cut chance. We had plenty of shots. Overall, a draw is probably a fair result, if not us shading it a little bit. It’s another one to build on and a big one to look forward to on Monday now.”
On the continuity in the team…
“I think we’ve had a settled XI and probably a little bit of that comes with results. It’s hard to drop a lad that’s in a team that’s playing well. A little bit of continuity, and the new lads probably at this stage are used to us as we are to them.
“Even I was saying to Jamie Gullan in there, it’s probably the best that we’ve linked up tonight, in terms of how many times we had a few combinations. That was always going to take time with new faces getting to know each other. Hopefully, we can build on that.”
Robbie Benson of Dundalk wears a shirt in support of Darkness into Light in the warm-up before the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
On the criticism of recruitment and the upturn in form…
“Moving over to a new country, I know if I was in that position, it would probably take me a bit of time to settle as well. The vibe in the group is good at the moment.
“There are lads out there training behind me now. We’ll need everyone over the next week. There are going to be a lot of tired bodies. I’m tired myself after that shift.
“It’s enjoyable. We’re having a good time in training, a good time playing and I think it’s starting to show.”
