Dundalk Preview 2012
Credit:
Last season: 7th (Premier Division)
In: Ger Hanley (Mervue United), Derek Foran (Sligo Rovers), Liam Burns (Bohemians), Luke Danville (Unattached), Dan Cunningham (Mervue United), John Mountney (Mervue United), Chris Shields (Bray Wanderers), Paul Walsh (Waterford United), Gareth Coughlan (Unattached), Robert Waters (UCC), Shane O’Neill (Bray Wanderers), Gary Shanahan (Newcastle West), Michael Rafter (Unattached)
Out: Paul Murphy (released), Simon Madden (Derry City), Colin Hawkins (Shamrock Rovers), Carl McHugh (end of loan), Dean Bennett (Solihul Moors), Ross Gaynor( Sligo Rovers), Stephen Maher (released), Greg Bolger (St Patrick’s Athletic), Keith Ward (Bohemians), Johnny Breen (Drogheda United), Mark Quigley (Sligo Rovers), Jason Byrne (Bray Wanderers)
Manager: Seán McCaffrey
Stadium: Oriel Park
After a winter of change at Oriel Park, 2012 will certainly be an intriguing one for the Lilywhites. A new management team, a new squad and even a new sponsor has come on board for the new season as Dundalk look to preserve their Premier Division status this season. 2011 was a disappointment for the Louth club and they will be hoping for a change in fortunes.
Just before Christmas Seán McCaffrey took over as first team manager and was tasked with assembling a brand new squad on a vastly reduced budget for the season ahead. He managed to retain Darius Kierans and also bring in a Dundalk favourite – John Whyte as assistant managers. Having been out of the League of Ireland for 25 years, McCaffrey is taking a venture into the somewhat unknown, however he does take with him a wealth of experience having managed Ireland at underage level between 2003 and 2010. His football experience and his footballing brain will be crucial if he is to make a serious impact with the Lilywhites this season.
Having worked with young players for the majority of his management career, it was no real surprise that McCaffrey’s new squad would be have a youthful feel about it. The majority are players he has worked with before and knows how they play. A big plus for the club is however the return of former captain Liam Burns. A defensive rock who knows the club and the league inside out, Burns is a player who will give the younger players a boost if needed. Of the young players, Corkman Robert Waters stands out as a wonderful talent and could definitely be a star of the league this season.
McCaffrey’s eye for young talent is second to none having seen some of the players he capped at underage level go on to receive full international honours and the fans will be hoping his judgement has been the same in assembling his squad.
While this year’s squad is bigger than last season, the main cause of concern will be the ability to get goals. Though Mark Griffin has been a revelation since breaking into the squad last season, the forward line does lack in depth and also lacks in experience. The midfielders will be expected to chip in with goals if the Lilywhites are to make an impression this season.
If pre-season is anything to go by, Dundalk will try to play an attractive style of football. The type of players McCaffrey has signed have one thing in common – they like to get the ball down and play. Winning home games will be crucial and using the pitch to their advantage. Dundalk look very much like a good cup team this season so don’t be surprised if they get a decent run in the knockout competitions and if the new squad can get settled together and get off to a good start then there is no reason why the Lilywhites can’t finish in midtable, something the majority of Dundalk fans would be happy with this season.
ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 9th
