Mountney: The double would be spectacular
‘When you think back to that night in the relegation play-off against Waterford…..’
For 2012 survivors, John Mountney and Chris Shields, that line of questioning is becoming a bit of a cliche.
However, that cold winter evening in the south-east, when a Michael Rafter double secured the club’s top flight status will always be looked back upon as ground zero, the final, bleak reminder of a pre-Stephen Kenny era.
Last year, questions were usually thrown at both players, regularly starting with: ’From the RSC to title winners in two seasons, how does it feel?’
This year’s edition is even better: ‘From the RSC to back to back titles and an FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium in three seasons, what an achievement’.
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“You couldn’t write a story like it,” agreed Mountney. “Since Stephen has come in things have been incredible and the turnaround has been unreal.
“His ambition from day one was to make things professional and to win things and make the club successful like the old days. To win the FAI Cup would cap an incredible three years.”
The Bohola man recently signed a new contract at the club and 2016 will mark his fifth season at Oriel Park.
It’s safe to say Mountney is becoming a bit of the furniture at this stage and after lifting the league trophy again on Friday night he said he feels right at home in Dundalk.
“Sure I’m a local now,” he laughed. “It’s great to stay here and anyway, where else would you want to play?
“I’m part of a team that’s smashing records,” he continued. “The gaffer kept us motivated right through the last few games and we knew four goals against Bray would mean we’ve scored the most goals ever and Richie Towell has also moved to 25 league goals — another record.
“It was lovely to get our hands on the trophy but a lot of our focus has been on the FAI Cup final and it’s nice to sort of get the Bray game out of the way and now just fully concentrate on Cork.
“What a week we have to look forward to,” he added. “And to win the double would be spectacular.”
