Dundalk entered the 2024 season having finished in fifth place in the league the previous season, which meant that they did not qualify for European competition in 2024–25. Stephen O'Donnell was the club's head coach going into the new term, his third season in charge.
| 2024 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Brian Ainscough (until 17 September) | |||
| Head coach | Stephen O'Donnell (until 8 April) Brian Gartland & Liam Burns (interim 9–20 April) | |||
| Stadium | Oriel Park | |||
| FAI Cup | First round | |||
| Leinster Senior Cup | Quarter-final | |||
| Highest home attendance | 3,122 v Galway United, 23 February 2024 | |||
|
| ||||
During the close season, US-based businessman Brian Ainscough took ownership of the club from Andy Connolly and STATSports duo Seán O'Connor and Alan Clarke.[1] Record goalscorer Pat Hoban was sold to Derry City ahead of the new season, having scored a total of 150 goals over eight seasons.[2]
2024 is Dundalk's 16th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 89th in all, and their 98th in the League of Ireland.
Season summary
editThe season began with the Leinster Senior Cup and they were knocked out in the Quarter finals by St. Mochta's of the Leinster Senior League.[3]
The league season consisting of 36 matches (four series of nine matches) began on 16 February 2024. A poor start to the league programme, which saw Dundalk at the foot of the table with no wins after eight matches, resulted in O'Donnell being let go. He was replaced on an interim basis by the club's Head of Football operations, Brian Gartland, and first team coach, Liam Burns.[4]
Noel King, a former player of the club, was subsequently named manager on 20 April.[5] His tenure lasted 25 days before he resigned, citing medical issues.[6] By this point, Gartland had also ended his 11-year association with the club, so Liam Burns resumed the interim manager role,[7] before Jon Daly was subsequently appointed as the club's new manager.[8]
The club briefly saw an improvement in form.[9] However, after several defeats and with seven games left to play, Daly confirmed that players and staff at the club had not been paid. It was subsequently revealed in September 2024 that the club had amassed a deficit in excess of €1 million and was in danger of insolvency before the end of the season.[10][11] The club was subsequently rescued by a consortium led by Dundalk-based John Temple.[12]
During the season, a new club record was set of eight home league matches in a row without conceding a goal.[13]
In the FAI Cup, they went out in the first round to Drogheda United.[14]
First-Team Squad (2024)
editSources:[15] Note: Substitute appearances in brackets
| No. | Name | DOB | Pos. | Debut | League | FAI Cup | Leinster Cup | Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||
| 1 |  Ross Munro
|
1 April 2000 | GK | 2024 | 15 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2 |  Archie Davies[a]
|
7 October 1998 | DF | 2023 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 1 |
| 3 | Jamie Walker
|
21 February 2001 | DF | 2024 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 |  Andy Boyle
|
7 March 1991 | DF | 2013 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| 5 |  Louie Annesley[b]
|
3 May 2000 | DF | 2023 | 3 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 6 |  Koen Oostenbrink
|
26 January 2000 | MF | 2024 | 5 (5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 | Daryl Horgan
|
10 August 1992 | FW | 2014 | 30 (2) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 36 | 4 |
| 8 | Robbie Benson
|
7 May 1992 | MF | 2016 | 26 (2) | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 4 |
| 9 | Jamie Gullan
|
2 July 1999 | FW | 2024 | 22 (7) | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 6 |
| 10 | Robbie Mahon
|
6 June 2003 | FW | 2024 | 5 (12) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 11 | Ryan O'Kane
|
16 August 2003 | Winger | 2021 | 14 (15) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 32 | 4 |
| 12 | George Shelvey [c]
|
22 April 2001 | GK | 2024 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 13 | Zak Johnson [d]
|
30 July 2004 | DF | 2024 | 17 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 14 | Cameron Elliott [e]
|
27 May 1999 | FW | 2023 | 7 (10) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| 15 | Mayowa Animasahun
|
8 August 2003 | DF | 2021 | 14 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 16 | Hayden Muller [f]
|
7 February 2002 | DF | 2023 | 10 (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (1) | 1 | 19 | 1 |
| 16 | Felix Godard [g]
|
9 March 2004 | GK | 2024 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 17 | Dara Keane
|
24 December 1998 | MF | 2024 | 1 (8) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 18 | Scott High [h]
|
15 February 2001 | MF | 2024 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 18 | Josh O'Connor[i]
|
16 June 2004 | FW | 2024 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | Luke Mulligan
|
13 November 2007 | MF | 2024 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 21 | Paul Doyle
|
10 April 1998 | MF | 2022 | 14 (4) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| 22 |  Sam Durrant
|
16 February 2002 | Winger | 2023 | 6 (12) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 23 | John Mountney
|
22 February 1993 | MF | 2012 | 20 (4) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| 24 | Eoin Kenny
|
30 December 2005 | FW | 2024 | 7 (14) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 (2) | 1 | 26 | 2 |
| 25 | Sean Molloy
|
23 February 2005 | GK | 2024 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 26 | Sean Keogh
|
15 April 2006 | DF | 2024 | 6 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 27 | Scott McGill [j]
|
27 January 2002 | MF | 2024 | 2 (6) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 28 | Bobby Faulkner [k]
|
5 August 2004 | DF | 2024 | 3 (1) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 29 |  Ciaran McGuckin [l]
|
30 December 2003 | FW | 2024 | 2 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 30 | Zak Bradshaw [m]
|
22 September 2003 | DF | 2024 | 17 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| 36 | Dan Pike [n]
|
9 January 2002 | DF | 2024 | 8 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 37 |  Norman Garbett [o]
|
27 February 2004 | MF | 2024 | 0 (4) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 38 | Hayden Cann [p]
|
1 October 2003 | DF | 2024 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 39 | Aodh Dervin [q]
|
21 July 1999 | MF | 2024 | 8 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 40 | Jad Hakiki [r]
|
23 June 2004 | MF | 2024 | 5 (3) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
Competitions
editWin Draw Loss
Premier Division
edit| 16 February 2024 Round 1 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–1 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Greene  59' |
Report | Jamie Gullan 33' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 7,610 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 23 February 2024 Round 2 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Galway United | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | McCarthy 11' Dervin 30' |
Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 3,122 Referee: Gavin Colfer |
| 1 March 2024 Round 3 | Bohemians | P–P | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Stadium: Dalymount Park |
| 4 March 2024 Round 4 | Dundalk | 0–5 | Sligo Rovers | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Chapman 7', 33' Hartmann 14'Mata 38', 61' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 1,663 Referee: Mark Lynch |
| 8 March 2024 Round 5 | St Patrick's Athletic | 1–0 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Keating 30' |
Report | Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 4,513 Referee: Ray Matthews |
| 15 March 2024 Round 6 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Waterford | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,243 Referee: Tom O'Sullivan |
| 29 March 2024 Round 7 | Shelbourne | 2–1 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Burt 51', 74' |
Report | Robbie Benson 90' |
Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: 4,012 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 1 April 2024 Round 8 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Drogheda United | Dundalk |
| 13:00 | Archie Davies  90' |
Report | Heeney 70' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,458 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 5 April 2024 Round 9 | Derry City | 4–1 | Dundalk | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| 19:45 | O'Reilly 31' Patching 46'Mullen 58'Duffy 65' |
Report | Ryan O'Kane 75' |
Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: 3,060 Referee: David Dunne |
| 12 April 2024 Round 10 | Dundalk | 0–0 | St Patrick's Athletic | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,325 Referee: Gavin Colfer |
| 15 April 2024 Round 3 (refixed) | Bohemians | 1–0 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Akintunde 81' |
Report | Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,045 Referee: Eoghan O'Shea |
| 19 April 2023 Round 11 | Sligo Rovers | 1–1 | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Hartmann 16' |
Report | Jamie Gullan (pen.) 49' |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 2,287 Referee: Paul Norton |
| 26 April 2024 Round 12 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Bohemians | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Scott High 13' Robbie Benson 35' |
Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,770 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 3 May 2024 Round 13 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Shelbourne | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,806 Referee: Eoghan O'Shea |
| 6 May 2024 Round 14 | Drogheda United | 2–1 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 13:00 | Pierrot 55' Barr 74'Cann 90' |
Report | Jamie Gullan 79' George Shelvey 90' |
Stadium: United ParkWeavers Park Attendance: 2,339 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 10 May 2024 Round 15 | Waterford | 4–1 | Dundalk | Waterford |
| 19:45 | Asamoah 2', 44', 76' Pattisson 53' |
Report | Robbie Benson 22' |
Stadium: Waterford Regional Sports Centre Attendance: 2,178 Referee: David Dunne |
| 17 May 2024 Round 16 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | John Mountney 90' |
Report | Attendance: 2,530 Referee: Alan Patchell |
| 24 May 2024 Round 17 | Galway United | 2–0 | Dundalk | Galway |
| 19:45 | Munro o.g. 23' Nugent 72' |
Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: 2,302 Referee: Mark Houlihan |
| 31 May 2024 Round 18 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Derry City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Report | Attendance: 2,411 Referee: Daniel Murphy |
| 3 June 2024 Round 19 | St Patrick's Athletic | 2–3 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 17:15 | Forrester (pen.) 27' Lennon 35' |
Report | Jamie Gullan 2', 22' Ryan O'Kane 4' |
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 3,934 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 7 June 2024 Round 20 | Shelbourne | 1–0 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Martin 71' |
Report | Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: 3,850 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 13 June 2024 Round 21 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Sligo Rovers | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Daryl Horgan 54' |
Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,036 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 28 June 2024 Round 22 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Waterford | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Parsons 19' McMenamy 43' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,073 Referee: Paul Norton |
| 5 July 2024 Round 23 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 20:00 | Kenny 29' |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 5,317 Referee: Marc Lynch |
| 12 July 2024 Round 24 | Dundalk | 4–2 | Drogheda United | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Jad Hakiki 8' Ryan O'Kane 16'Daryl Horgan 56', 86' |
Report | Douglas Taylor 37', 90' (pen.) |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,776 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 26 July 2024 Round 25 | Bohemians | 1–1 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Tierney 18' |
Daryl Horgan 27' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,239 |
| 2nd August 2024 Round 26 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Galway United | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Walsh 54', 89' |
Report | Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,176 Referee: Paul Norton |
| 9 August 2024 Round 27 | Derry City | 1–1 | Dundalk | Derry, Northern Ireland |
| 19:45 | Mullen 64' |
Report | John Mountney 21' |
Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: 2,384 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 30 August 2024 Round 28 | Dundalk | 0–1 | Shelbourne | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | O'Brien 4' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,234 Referee: Eoghan O'Shea |
| 5 September 2024 Round 29 | Dundalk | 1–2 | St Patrick's Athletic | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Eoin Kenny 2' |
Report | Grivosti 55' Melia 70' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,325 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 13 September 2024 Round 30 | Waterford | 2–1 | Dundalk | Waterford |
| 19:45 | Bellis 5' Amond 16' |
Report | Jamie Gullan 76' |
Stadium: Waterford Regional Sports Centre Attendance: 2,276 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 21 September 2023 Round 31 | Sligo Rovers | 2–1 | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Waweru 69' Chapman (pen.) 75' |
Robbie Benson (pen.) 24' Hayden Cann 74' |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 2,754 Referee: Marc Lynch |
| 28 September 2024 Round 32 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Bohemians | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Report | Devoy 58' McDonnell 85' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 3,086 Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan. |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Sligo Rovers | 32 | 13 | 8 | 11 | 37 | 44 | −7 | 47 | |
| 7 | Waterford | 32 | 13 | 4 | 15 | 40 | 41 | −1 | 43 | |
| 8 | Bohemians | 31 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 33 | 37 | −4 | 36 | |
| 9 | Drogheda United | 32 | 7 | 11 | 14 | 40 | 55 | −15 | 32 | Qualification to League of Ireland Premier Division play-off final |
| 10 | Dundalk (Z) | 33 | 5 | 10 | 18 | 23 | 47 | −24 | 25 | Relegation to League of Ireland First Division |
Updated to match(es) played on 4 October 2024. Source: SSE Airtricity League, [16]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[16]
(Z) Assured of League of Ireland Premier Division play-off at best
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[16]
(Z) Assured of League of Ireland Premier Division play-off at best
FAI Cup
edit| 19 July 2024 First round | Drogheda United | 2–1 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Bolger 16' Davis 74' |
Report | Bobby Faulkner 90' |
Stadium: Weavers Park Attendance: 2,280 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
Leinster Senior Cup
editFourth Round Group A
edit| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drogheda United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 9 |
| Dundalk | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 4 |
| Bohemians | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| Malahide | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 0 |
Matchday 1
edit| Malahide United | 1–3 | Dundalk |
|---|---|---|
| O'Shaughnessy 42' |
Report | Ryan O'Kane 2' Hayden Muller 19'Archie Davies 61' |
Gannon Park
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Owen Murphy
Matchday 2
edit| Dundalk | 1–2 | Drogheda United |
|---|---|---|
| Eoin Kenny 55' |
Report | Davis 66', 90' |
Matchday 3
editQuarter Final
edit| 19 March 2024 | St Mochta's | 2–0 | Dundalk | Clonsilla |
| Dean Casey 29', 33' |
Report | Stadium: Porterstown Road Attendance: Unreported Referee: Daniel Murphy |
Footnotes
edit- ^ transferred to Carlisle United after Round 23
- ^ transferred to Braintree Town after Round 22
- ^ contract cancelled 29 May 2024
- ^ on loan from Sunderland until Round 23
- ^ transferred to East Kilbride after Round 24
- ^ transferred to Sutton United after Round 23
- ^ on loan from Blackburn Rovers from Round 24
- ^ on loan from Huddersfield Town until Round 14
- ^ on loan from Hibernian from Round 25
- ^ signed ahead of Round 23
- ^ on loan from Doncaster Rovers from Round 23
- ^ on loan from Rotherham United until Round 7
- ^ on loan from Lincoln City until Round 21
- ^ signed ahead of Round 24
- ^ signed ahead of Round 23
- ^ signed ahead of Round 23
- ^ signed ahead of FAI Cup first round
- ^ signed ahead of Round 23
References
edit- ^ Rogers, James. "Dundalk FC COO Martin Connolly on new owner Brian Ainscough". independent.ie. INM. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ "Patrick Hoban makes move from Dundalk to Derry City". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Newberry, Niall. "Dundalk FC crash out of the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup". dundalkdemocrat.ie. Dundalk Democrat. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: STEPHEN O'DONNELL". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "NEW MANAGER: NOEL KING". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Noel King leaves Dundalk after just four games in charge". rte.ie. RTÉ. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "Brian Gartland departs from Dundalk after a decade". rte.ie. RTÉ. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
- ^ "Jon Daly appointed as Dundalk manager". rte.ie. RTÉ. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "Jon Daly appointed as Dundalk manager". rte.ie. RTÉ. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Rogers, James (6 September 2024). "Could Dundalk FC fold? Manager Jon Daly in the dark as wages go unpaid". Irish Examiner.
- ^ Rogers, James (6 September 2024). "Daly: Dundalk have failed to pay players and staff" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ McDonnell, Daniel. "Dundalk takeover deal complete as troubled club is rescued". independent.ie. INM. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Dundalk 1 Sligo Rovers 0". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
- ^ "DROGHEDA UNITED 2-1 DUNDALK FC". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ "Dundalk FC Squad 2024". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ a b "PREMIER DIVISION". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 12 February 2024.