Maher confident of Lilywhite challenge | Airtricity League

Maher confident of Lilywhite challenge

Stephen Maher believes building "momentum from the start" is the key to Dundalk challenging for a top four place this season, while he is also eyeing an extended run in the cup competitions, after becoming the Lilywhites’ latest arrival when he put pen to paper following Tuesday’s friendly win over Shelbourne.

The 21-year-old, who most recently played with Saint Patrick’s Athletic, has been at Oriel Park since the squad began pre-season training on 25 January, and he finally signed a deal this week which will see him remain at the border ground until at least the end of the 2010 season.

“I think we have to look at the top four and to progress as far as we can in the cups – I think that has got to be the big aim,” said Maher. “It’s really just about getting some momentum going from the start of the season, and to get as many good results as we can. The squad is really strong; it seems to be coming along. The training has been really sharp and of a high quality. In the next couple of weeks I’m sure there’ll be more players to add to it, and I think we can be very strong and solid this year. I think we can realistically challenge.”

Dundalk are unbeaten in their opening two friendlies, against Athlone (0-0) last Sunday and Shelbourne (1-0) on Tuesday, and Maher believes the side can only improve between now and the league kick-off in three weeks' time.

“I don’t think you can really read too much into the first two games, between trialists and lads trying to find their feet with their first game,” he said. “I think as you get closer to the season, you can sort of start making opinions of how the squad is coming along. But I don’t think you can read too much into the first two games. I think we’re all finding our feet at the moment, trying to get our fitness. We have another four or five games to go before the start of the league, and I think we’ll be very solid come then. I can’t wait for the season to start. It has been a long couple of months, so I just can’t wait to get going again.”

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