Clifford relishing his new challenge with Dundalk
By Stephen Leonard
DEFENDING SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk have secured the services of former Republic of Ireland Under 21 international Conor Clifford.
Clifford, an ex-Crumlin United midfielder from Palmerstown, joins the Lilywhites from English National League outfit Boreham Wood FC.
He made the move from Crumlin to Chelsea back in 2007 and has since spent time on loan with the likes of Plymouth Argyle, Notts County and Yeovil Town before he penned a two-year deal with Southend United.
Looking ahead to his new challenge, the 25-year-old player told The Echo: “I’m delighted with this move. I think the way they [Dun-dalk] play will really suit me.
“Stephen [Kenny] likes to play a high-tempo game where we’re pressing all over the pitch and I think playing under him will really benefit me.
“We have six or seven weeks before the season starts and probably five or six games to get the team to gel and get the balance right.
“It’s going to be a really competitive season with the likes of Rovers, Derry and Cork also up there and everyone of them looking to beat us.
“But I’m looking forward to playing at the likes of Rovers, Derry and Pat’s and sampling the atmosphere at these places.
“I watched a lot of the games that they [Dundalk] played in Europe. They did brilliantly, beating some really big names like BATE and hopefully I can be part of something like that this season,” he added.
Clifford’s move to Dundalk follows hot on the heels of that of St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Jamie McGrath.
Delighted to have signed for @DundalkFC can’t wait to get started
— conor clifford (@conorclifford91) January 16, 2017
The former St Patrick’s Athletic attacking midfielder was declared ‘Young Player of the Season’ by the Inchicore side’s faithful after playing a major part in helping them successfully defend their League Cup title.
The 20-year-old player follows another former St Pat’s man Sean Hoare to Stephen Kenny’s side.
The former Republic of Ireland Under 21 centre half penned a move to the Lilywhites at the close of last year and Kenny believes both players will bring plenty to the table.
Hoare could be partnered in defence by Niclas Vemmelund who played a key role in helping Derry City to a third-place finish in last year’s Premier Division campaign.
Also nailed down for the coming season is striker David McMillan who will line out for Dundalk for a fourth season.
The Templeogue man has proven a really prolific force for the champions, hitting 21 goals for them last season.
He was on target five times for the team in their Champions League qualifi-cation adventure that eventually led to the Europa League group stages, and he, together with Ciaran Kilduff, provides the team with great attacking options.
