David McMillan signs up for a fourth year in Lilywhite
Dundalk striker David McMillan has signed a deal to remain with the Oriel Park outfit for a fourth successive season.
The Dubliner has averaged a goal every two-and-a-half games since joining the Lilywhites from Sligo Rovers ahead of the 2014 season, a record which was enhanced by his career best 21 goals in 2016.
McMillan’s medal haul at the champions is equally as impressive. He’s amassed three league, EA Sports Cup, FAI Cup and President’s Cup medals during his three seasons with Stephen Kenny’s men, while also being an integral member of their run to the Europa League group stages.
He scored five goals in six Champions League qualifiers last summer and, although he failed to score, he played in all six of the Lilywhites’ Europa League fixtures, starting all but one.
The 28-year-old was bullish in speaking to dundalkfc.com about his aspirations for the club in 2017:
“We have a long season ahead,” he said.
“We have a lot of games to play and a lot of competitions to compete in so we want to get off to a good start in the league. We want to lay down a marker like last year and lead from the front if we can.
“We have plenty have things to play for. Europe is in everyone’s mind. We want to be in good form by the time that comes around but we want to win the league, we want to keep our title and that will be the aim ahead of the campaign.”
Having played as Pat Hoban’s understudy in his first season at the club, McMillan has established himself as Dundalk’s starting striker over the past couple of seasons. This despite Ciaran Kilduff springing off the bench to nick crucial goals, especially last season.
Nonetheless, McMillan is determined to keep Kilduff out of the team by eclipsing his goal-scoring record of last term:
“I hit the 20-goal mark last year for the first time and that was something which I was eager to do,” McMillan said.
“In such a good team, there are plenty of opportunities to do that. I would be looking to do something similar for sure.
“Ciaran (Kilduff) is back this year as well and we will be vying for that number 9 jersey and we want to hit the 40 goals between us. I want to score as many goals as we can and to try and repeat the success of last year.”
The Lilywhites kick off their league season at home to fellow title challengers Shamrock Rovers on Friday, February 24th at Oriel Park.
