Lilywhites secure McDonnell for 2012
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Stephen McDonnell today penned a new contract with Dundalk FC to keep him at the club for the 2012 season.
The 19-year-old Dundalk native will spend his third season at the club having signed first signed for previous manager Ian Foster in March 2010.
Having made 33 appearances over the past two years, McDonnell was a first team regular last season until May when he sustained a serious knee injury in the opening minutes of the Setanta Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers.
After signing the new deal, McDonnell revealed that he had other offers on the table before being patient in Dundalk’s search for a new manager. “I’m over the moon to get it done and dusted, I wasn’t too sure what was happening with regards to the manager – it was left quite late. I had one or two other offers on the table but I’m glad that I held out because the right man got the job. That kind of made me sign, to be honest.
McDonnell, clearly delighted with the managerial appointment, has previously played under new manager Sean McCaffrey in the Ireland underage set up and knows exactly how he works. ‘’He always seems to get the best out of me. Maybe, he’s just one of those managers that everybody wants to play for. When he put the offer on the table, I don’t think there was any thinking about it – it was a yes straight away.
“It was only every four or five months with the Irish team that we would meet up for a friendly or a tournament, but you could see in 7-10 days what information Seán could deliver, so to work with him all- year round is going to be great, for everyone.”
Despite his 2011 season being disrupted by the knee injury, McDonnell Is hopeful of remaining injury free and becoming a regular in the starting line up. To miss out on you may as well say the whole season with a bad injury was devastating, because the year before I was out for the first six months with a heart problem. “I said the same last year but – touch wood – hopefully I can stay injury free and play every game this season. Of course, after getting that run in the team last year, I’m confident that I can do that again,” he said.
“But it’s going to be a new squad and everyone is going to have to prove themselves in pre-season. It’s not going to be easy for anyone; everyone is going to have to impress – it’s a new manager, it’s a new team, and you’ve got to get in and do your best when you get your chance and keep your place.”
The former Celtic central midfielder has become McCaffrey’s second signing as Dundalk manager having already secured young striker Marc Griffin.
For all the latest transfers, view our Great Big Airtricity League Transfer List 2012
