Stephen Kenny believes the success his Lilywhites side have enjoyed on the pitch in recent seasons has provided a welcome fillip off the field for the people of Dundalk.
The Dundalk manager was in euphoric mood after masterminding a 2-1 win over Bohemians at a packed Oriel Park on Sunday night.
The win guaranteed a third SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title on the trot for the club.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Tony O'Donoghue, Kenny said: “This town is a different place to what it was a couple of years ago.
“The impact it’s had on the town has been amazing.
“You can see the joy that it brings and the passion that it brings. That’s something special.”
The Dubliner has had to contend with a fixture list so congested as to border on the cruel, and admitted to being desperate to secure the title ahead of their two remaining league games, with an important Europa League match against Zenit Saint Petersburg and an FAI Cup final against Cork City looming large on the horizon.
“That air of expectation was there,” Kenny acknowledged.
“Days off? They’re overrated"
“We didn’t want to not win it tonight and drag it on and play two games in two days again, so we were keen to try and get it won tonight.
“The players were very tired after Thursday night and after the run of games.
“It wasn’t our best performance, but that didn’t matter.
“I can’t praise the players highly enough.
“They’ve been absolutely magnificent with the run of games we’ve had, it’s unprecedented, really.
“To keep going and keep going and be relentless and win the games when it mattered - and know how to win games - they’ve been brilliant.”
Stephen Kenny isn't quite ready to talk about four in a row! https://t.co/mvrx29Wb85
— Soccer Republic (@SoccRepublic) October 23, 2016
Dundalk’s offensive players have attracted much praise this season, but it was defenders Andy Boyle and Brian Gartland who scored the goals that secured the silverware on Sunday night.
Kenny highlighted the importance of having goal threats in all areas of the pitch, saying: “It’s great when your defenders can weigh in with goals, also.
“It really takes the pressure of everyone else.”
Dundalk are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Richmond Park to face St Patrick’s Athletic, but the quick turnaround is something Kenny and his charges have become all too familiar with in recent months.
“Days off? They’re overrated, aren’t they,” the manger quipped.
“We’ve a game on Tuesday and another one Friday. Then we play Zenit (3 November) and come back from Russia on Friday for the Cup final on the Sunday, which is amazing.
“We’re not complaining about that, it’s a great experience.
“We’ve a lot to look forward to, but we’ll enjoy tonight.
“We’ve worked so hard for it.
“When we lost to Sligo 3-0 here we looked like we were in trouble.
“To go and then take the next 12 points was tremendous. To get 12 successive points like that against some of the top teams... the players are worthy champions.”
