John Mountney: ‘When Stephen O’Donnell came back as head coach, I was waiting for a phone call’

John Mountney

John Mountney Credit: Hugh de Paor (ETPhotos)

Dundalk have announced the return of another former title winner with the club with the signing of John Mountney. 

The Bohola native becomes the second Mayoman to sign for the club this week following the arrival of Islandeady’s Paul Doyle. 

Mountney began his career at Mervue United over a decade ago, debuting away to Athlone Town in April 2011. 

It was at Dundalk that the versatile right footer really made a name for himself playing in a variety of positions at times- right back, right midfield, centre midfield and even up front for a few games prior to the mid-season arrival of Ciaran Kilduff in 2015. 

His first spell at the club saw him rack up over 300 appearances for the Lilywhites while lifting the Premier Division title on five occasions, and both the FAI and League Cup three times apiece.

Mountney spent one season away from the club, finishing second in the table with St. Patrick’s Athletic and experiencing FAI Cup success with the Inchicore based outfit under then head coach and former teammate at Dundalk, Stephen O’Donnell.

The Galwegian, now at Oriel Park, was effusive in his praise of Mountney in an interview with dundalkfc.com, “ I’m thrilled to get John back in the building, from a personality standpoint, a culture standpoint and a football standpoint.

“He was having a very good season at St Pat’s last year and his last game for the club, ironically enough, proved to be at Oriel Park where he picked up a bad knee injury. Since then, his rehab has been very good and his recovery is going smoothly. 

“With the size of the squad we are going to go with, it will be important to have players with versatility and John gives us that. In the main, he played at full-back, but he can also play wide right, as he did with Dundalk, and in midfield.”

Mountney was also enthusiastic about his return to the club, “It feels great to be back. There is a great buzz around the place and it feels good to be home. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to Dundalk.



“I’ve lived here for so long and even last year I commuted to Dublin, so there was always a thought in the back of my mind and when Stephen O’Donnell came back as head coach, I was waiting for a phone call, hoping I’d get the chance to come back.”

    About Tom O'Connor

    Dundalk based reporter following the league since Monaghan United’s goalless draw against Athlone Town in 1996. Special interest in education and underage football. Shortlisted for the 2018 FAI Communications Award for series on Life beyond … View Full Profile