There may have been heartbreak for their opponents last night but few could begrudge Dundalk their first title in 20 seasons after the way they recovered from their recent slip-ups to beat their rivals and regain top spot when it mattered most.
Stephen Kenny’s side came close to writing a new footballing fairytale by winning it last year, just 12 months after the club had endured the most miserable of campaigns but their success this time around is still a pretty good story.
They have improved on just about every front during 2014, scoring more goals, conceding fewer and, when at their best, playing even better football.
Critically, they finally began to make Oriel Park a place for rivals to fear going again with just eight points conceded at home this season compared to 18 in 2013 and, of course, victories when it mattered most.
The reality is, though, that Kenny’s men were good both home and away. They may have started the season with a startling 4-1 defeat at rivals Drogheda but they then set about laying down markers at almost every opportunity.
Bigger surprise
Sligo Rovers
were beaten away in week three thanks to a late goal by left back
Dane Massey
and defending champions St Patrick’s Athletic were taken to the cleaners in an amazing second half at Richmond Park a fortnight later.
Cork City sustained their challenge magnificently but three defeats from three against the new champions, including a crushing 4-0 loss back in May, leave them with very little cause for complaint.
Kenny's men, in fact, lost only two more games after that opening night defeat; away to Bray on their first visit back in April and then to former champions St Patrick's Athletic, last month. There were a couple of other minor slip-ups too with draws at Drogheda and last week's draws with Shamrock Rovers, then at Bray when a win would effectively have wrapped things up. But, crucially, they held their nerve when it mattered most – last night.
Certain moments stand out as key to Dundalk’s challenge. The Brandywell in June, comes to mind, with Richie Towell’s deflected equaliser five minutes into added time securing a massive point.
Pat Hoban's winner against Limerick (84 minutes), Dave McMillan's equaliser against his former club Sligo Rovers (86 mins) and, most critically of all, Brian Gartland's decisive effort at Turner's Cross (85 minutes).
They scored 22 goals more than their nearest rivals with Hoban leading the way up front but their defence more than held its own and when a wobble seemed possible in the wake of the defeat at St Pat’s, four straight clean sheets just about kept them on course for last night’s triumph.
Massey won a player of the month award for his part in that run while Daryl Horgan and Towell were similarly recognised over the course of the campaign.
There must be a particular sense of satisfaction for Stephen Kenny who arrived at Dundalk having been sacked by Shamrock Rovers after less than a year in charge. He has shown over the past two years just what he could achieve, given time and an opportunity to build his own team.
Right now, everyone at the club is entitled to savour this deserved success.
