2023 Season Preview: Dundalk

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Manager: Stephen O’Donnell

Stadium: Oriel Park

In: Louie Annesley (Blackburn Rovers), Hayden Muller (Millwall), Connor Malley (Rochdale), Cameron Elliott (East Kilbride), Archie Davies (Aldershot Town).

Out: Steven Bradley (Hibs – end of loan), Lewis Macari (Stoke City – end of loan), Runar Hauge (Hibs - end of loan), David McMillan, Brian Gartland (retired),Joe Adams, Sam Bone (Maidstone United), Mayowa Animasahun (Dungannon Swifts - loan), Emmanuel Adegboyega (Drogheda United), Jack Harrington (Longford Town).

Extratime.com Key Player: Patrick Hoban

Patrick Hoban is entering his eighth season at the Carrick Road and has his sights firmly set on breaking the goal scoring record at Dundalk this season.

His injury at Dalymount Park last summer saw the Lilywhites shorn of their focal point in attack for the majority of the latter end of the season. Despite sporting the number 9, Loughrea native Hoban brings much more than a penalty area threat- regularly dropping deep to take part in patterns of play.

Prior to his injury, Hoban had played 24 league games, Dundalk achieved an average of 1.375 goals, 1.875 points and kept 10 clean sheets.

Of those he didn’t play they scored an average of 1.2 goals and kept two clean sheets. Dundalk will be hoping he can stay clear of injury to spearhead their challenge for silverware in the season ahead.

Extratime.com One to Watch: Ryan O’Kane



Dundalk native Ryan O’Kane took on the mantle of a goal scoring wing threat following the injury suffered by Dan Kelly during the 2022 season.

The pacey wide man netted twice last week against Wexford in a friendly, having found the net against the same opponents in the FAI Cup last season – his first senior goal for the Lilywhites.

With a low centre of gravity and electricity in his boots, O’Kane presents a real challenge to defenders and looks set for a promising 2023 season.

For their part, Dundalk are well aware of his talent and have tied the teenager down to a new contract recently in the hope of warding off interest. 

How they did last season:

Premier League: 3rd



Dundalk started 2022 in a manner which suggested they may seriously challenge Shamrock Rovers at the head of the league table.

However, a number of serious injuries to prominent squad members and two separate runs of one win in five games saw the Lilywhites’ title aspirations take a serious hit and the race for Europe became a new challenge.

They picked up a number of crucial wins as the season drew to a close and clinched third place with a win over Bohemians in their last home game of the season.

In fact, a win at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on the final day of the league season meant that only goal difference separated Dundalk from second placed Derry City by the end of the campaign. 

In the league, Oriel Park proved to be a fortress with only a single defeat - to Europe chasing rivals St Patrick's Athletic- across eighteen games.

However, it was on the road where the majority of the points were dropped with the dozen and a half games producing a half dozen victories (one of which came courtesy of an administrative error by Sligo Rovers).

They scored almost twice as many goals at home (35) as they did on their travels (18). Four of the away wins took place in Derry (2) and Finn Harps (2) with the other in Dalymount Park. 

FAI Cup: Quarter Finals 

Dundalk’s opening cup game saw Longford Town defeated 4-0 at Oriel Park thanks to a brace from Greg Sloggett and strikes from Joe Adams and Pat Hoban. However, despite the impressive scoreline, Longford were a fraction away from scoring on a couple of occasions- the offside flag denying the pacy Jordan Adeyemo when he had broken clear of the defence. 

When drawn against Wexford FC in the next round, the Lilywhites' defence was once again threatened by pace- the fleet footed Ger Shortt bringing the best out of Nathan Shepperd more than once – but they escaped from Ferrycarrig Park with a 3-2 win after extra time.

Another trip to the south east saw Dundalk make their exit from the competition at the hands of Waterford. Despite taking the lead, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal, Dundalk conceded three without response.

Shane Griffin, Darragh Power and Phoenix Patterson all found the net as the Munstermen, despite conceding to a last gasp Keith Ward effort, ended Dundalk's interest in the competition.

What to expect this season

Stephen O'Donnell's squad more than matched supporter expectations last season by achieving European qualification.

Injuries suffered to key attacking threats Pat Hoban and Dan Kelly, as well as new signing Paul Doyle and the experienced duo of Robbie Benson and John Mountney significantly weakened the Lilywhites squad. Mayoman Mountney will be out for the foreseeable future, however the other four should see significantly more game time next season. 

As such, it would be natural to assume, given the fact that the Lilywhites missed out on second place on goal difference, a title challenge may be in order.

However, given the experience which the squad have been shorn of following the departures of Brian Gartland, David McMillan and Sam Bone as well as the return to their parent clubs of exciting winger Steven Bradley and the dependable and versatile defender Lewis Macari, a lot depends on how quickly the new signings settle in.

The vacancies at right back and centre half and will most likely be filled by Archie Davies and either Louis Annesley or Hayden Muller- a trio of arrivals fresh to the league while Scot Cameron Elliott, who has found the net in preseason, will be the first reserve for Pat Hoban.

The versatile Connor Malley has seen a lot of minutes in pre-season and is primed to play regularly in the Dundalk midfield throughout the 2023 campaign.

With 3-4 places in the starting XI possibly filled by players completely new to the league, how they'll adapt to their new circumstances is a difficult thing to predict.

If they settle quickly then Europe isn't beyond reach, however the lack of squad depth and uncertainty surrounding those new arrivals may see a mid-table finish for the Carrick Road side.

First game: Dundalk host UCD at Oriel Park on Friday (7.45pm kick off).

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