Kenny delighted with victory over Shels

Dundalk made it successive home victories in the league for the first time since October 2010 as they claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Shelbourne at Oriel Park on Friday evening with Tiarnan Mulvenna grabbing the winner in the closing stages. Speaking to Extratime.ie after the match, manager Stephen Kenny praised the visitors for their performance before expressing his delight at the performance and victory by his side.
 

"Shelbourne made it difficult for us. They played two banks of four and they defended well against us. They fought hard and it was difficult to break them down.

"It's a great win for us, to go on and get that late winner is fantastic. It didn't look like it was going to come and we had so many opportunities, Stephen O'Donnell had a great effort, Dane Massey had a chance and Vinny Faherty but we kept knocking at the door and eventually got through."

Kenny praised his side for how they maintained their game plan and praised the passage of play which led to the goal and also expressed delight that his side bounced back from Monday night's setback.

"We didn't just lump it and hope, we kept playing. It was a clever little pass from Stephen O'Donnell and a great first touch from Tiarnan (Mulvenna) to set him up for the goal.

"The difference between one point and three is huge. I've said it all season. To bounce back from the defeat on Monday night to win tonight is great."
 

The 41 year-old Dubliner puts the side's recent good form and consistency to clean sheets and praised the defence despite the continuous change.
 

"The difference is that we are keeping clean sheets. We have kept four clean sheets now and just the one goal (conceded) against (Shamrock) Rovers in five.
 

"It gives us a chance to win games instead of having to chase an equaliser which we have been doing against Drogheda (United) and Limerick.
 

"There have been changes in the back four, constantly. We've had injuries and lost Chris Shields and Mark Rossiter. We have had full-backs playing at centre-back."
 

The victory keeps the Lilywhites in touching distance of the top 3 and firmly in fourth spot. Although there are only 13 games played, the former Derry City manager insisted the importance of staying in the top 4 and urged his side need 'to keep going' as they head to champions Sligo next weekend.
 

"It's important, don't make a mistake about it. It's important to keep going. We travel to Sligo next week and will be looking to take them on. We will prepare properly during the week and go and get the result that we need."