Midseason Report Card - Dundalk

Club: Dundalk

Manager: Stephen Kenny

Stadium: Oriel Park

Highest attendance this season: 4,746 (vs Shamrock Rovers, February 24th)

Highest league goalscorer: David McMillan (9)

Mid-season position: 2^nd

How we thought they would do

Extratime.ie’s reporters collectively tipped Dundalk to defend their SSE Airtricity League crown and become only the second team ever to win four consecutive league titles.

How they really have done

Perhaps victims of their own ridiculously high standards, Dundalk would be within touching distance of top spot in any other season. However, Cork City’s seemingly unstoppable charge towards the title has seen the Lilywhites fall a massive 18 points behind The Leesiders at the halfway stage.

Moment of the season so far

Much had been made of the departure of several key players from Oriel Park during the close season, particularly Ronan Finn’s shock switch to Shamrock Rovers, so Dundalk’s 2-1 win over Rovers in front of almost 5,000 spectators on the opening night of the campaign has been the standout moment.

Star player: Patrick McEleney

The departure of Finn has paved the way for Patrick McEleney to make that number ten role behind the centre-forward his own. McEleney has scored four goals this term including a contender for goal of the season against St Patrick’s Athletic in March and has also provided five assists.

Surprise star player: Niclas Vemmelund

A close season signing from Derry City, Niclas Vemmelund has impressed since filling in for the injured Sean Gannon at right-back. Vemmelund, who can play anywhere across the back four, has scored twice this year and provided a beautiful assist for David McMillan against Finn Harps in April.

Young player: Jamie McGrath

One of the brightest young talents currently in the SSE Airtricity League, Jamie McGrath has featured in 14 of Dundalk’s 17 league matches this season since signing from St Patrick’s Athletic in the winter. The 20-year-old bagged a hat-trick in Dundalk’s 4-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park in May.

Star signing: Michael Duffy

Given the unenviable task of replacing Daryl Horgan who departed for Preston North End, Michael Duffy hasn’t fared too badly since signing from Celtic via a loan spell with Dundee. The former Derry City man has assisted in six of Dundalk’s goals this season as well as netting four times himself.

What they need in the transfer market

With their immediate focus now surely on the upcoming Champions League qualifiers, Stephen Kenny could well bring in a couple of new faces over the summer. Goals haven’t been as plentiful as they were last season and Patrick Hoban, recently let go by Mansfield Town, has been linked with a return.

Where we see them finishing: 2^nd

Even with the imminent departures of both Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor from Cork City, it’s highly unlikely that Dundalk will be able to catch the league leaders. Consolidating second place and European qualification as well as a potential FAI Cup success would now represent a good season.