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Football

09th Nov 2015

Cup hero Richie Towell happy to stay put in Dundalk

Home and dry

Mikey Stafford

Sure, why would he go anywhere?

Dundalk’s FAI Cup final hero Richie Towell finds it frustrating he is still unsure where he will be next season but he is pretty sure he will not be crossing the Irish Sea to play his football.

After another season of goal-scoring brilliance from midfield – capped by the extra-time winner in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Cork City – it is crazy that Towell’s future is not sorted out already.

Dundalk fans will be urging manager Stephen Kenny and the club’s hierarchy to sign up the 24 year old quick sharp and, at the Aviva Stadium yesterday, he made it clear that is what he wants.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s very frustrating. I love Dundalk. I think everybody sees the passion that I have for the club and the fans have the same passion for me and for the team. It’s a recipe for good things,” said Towell.

Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final, Aviva Stadium, Dublin 8/11/2015 Dundalk vs Cork City Dundalk's Richie Towell and Billy Dennehy of Cork Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Considered the best player in the country, many fear Towell will be snapped up by a club in England, but with a baby due in three weeks, Towell said he is happy to stay at home.

“I’ve had highs and lows in football. The highs top the lows. I could go over (to Britain) and be unhappy.

“A lot of people think the lifestyle (in British football) is better than it is.

“I really enjoy my football over here — there are excellent players and coaching staff.”

The Dubliner spent the early part of his career in Scotland, with Celtic and Hibs, but has flourished since moving to Oriel Park in 2013 and described adding the FAI Cup to back-to-back Airtricity League titles as “magical”.

“It’s something you dream of,” he said. “If someone told me this would happen when I started out, I would have bitten their hand off for it. It’s just a magical day.”

 

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