McCaffrey re-signs Griffin for Dundalk

Dundalk FC Young Player of the Year for 2011, Mark Griffin has become Seán McCaffrey’s first signing as manager.

The 20-year-old has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal at Oriel Park, and, after signing, he spoke of his “love” for the club and town.
 

After breaking into the first team last May, Griffin took the league by storm, scoring seven goals in his first nine league starts as he took full advantage of Jason Byrne’s hamstring injury.
 

And, currently recovering from an injury of his own which disrupted the latter part of his campaign, Griffin is looking forward to getting back on the pitch as he looks to “push on” following last year’s performance.

“I’m delighted to commit my future to the club for another year,” Mark told dundalkfc.com.

“I’m lucky enough to be the first one signed up and hopefully we can get a couple more in, in the coming days, and push on ahead of pre-season.

“I’m looking forward to the new season with the new manager and staff. It looks promising.

“My long-term plan is to get over to England. But my main focus at the moment is nailing down a regular place with Dundalk.

“It’s my hometown club and I love playing for the club. Of course I want to play here. I love the town.

“I was very happy with the progress I made last season. I was glad that I got my chance when I did. Ian Foster was very good to me; he gave me my chance. He’s gone now but I’m very thankful to him.

“I think I did well and I’m looking forward to the new season and pushing on again under Seán.

“From speaking to Seán, I’m very impressed by him, and Darius (Kierans) and John (Whyte) too. Their plans seem to be very good.

“They want to bring this club forward in a way that myself and the other young players want to see. Hopefully, there are good times ahead for the club.

“Seán has good contacts and experience in management from his time with the Irish underage teams, and I think we can build a good team here.”

Griffin missed the final five weeks of last season with a groin injury, but the young striker says he will be ready to go when the new campaign kicks off on 2 March.

“I’ll be 100 percent by the start of the season,” he said. “I’m just letting it heal. I’m resting at the moment.

“I’m hoping to hit the ground running and to push on again.

“I’m hoping to get a regular place in the team. I want to show in training every day that I want to nail down a first-team place.

“I’m not going to come in and rest on my laurels on the back of last year. I want to push on again, and hopefully I can do that.”