Dundalk entered the 2023 season having finished in third place in the league the previous season. 2023 was Dundalk's 15th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 88th in all, and their 97th in the League of Ireland. The club celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding in September 2023.[1] They entered the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League at the first qualifying round stage in what was their 26th European campaign.
| 2023 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Daryl Horgan, re-signed by the club in August 2023 | ||||
| Chairman | Sean O'Connor | |||
| Head coach | Stephen O'Donnell | |||
| Stadium | Oriel Park | |||
| League of Ireland | 5th | |||
| FAI Cup | Quarter final | |||
| Leinster Senior Cup | Fourth round | |||
| UEFA Europa Conference League | Second qualifying round | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Patrick Hoban (14) All: Patrick Hoban (15) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 3,761 v Shamrock Rovers, 31 March 2023 | |||
|
| ||||
Stephen O'Donnell was the club's head coach going into the new term, his second season in charge.
Season summary edit
The league season consisting of 36 matches (four series of nine matches) began on 17 February 2023. In Round 22 away to Drogheda United, Pat Hoban scored his 143rd and 144th goals for the club to take him past Joey Donnelly's record of 142 set in 1946.[2] He ended the season with 15 goals, to reach a total of 150 goals for the club. Having briefly entertained a title challenge following a home win over champions Shamrock Rovers in round 24, a poor run subsequently saw the club finish in 5th position and outside the European qualification places.[3]
In the FAI Cup, they reached the quarter-final before losing away to First Division Galway United, 4–0 in a performance described as "embarrassing" by O'Donnell.[4]
In the Leinster Senior Cup, they were initially ejected from the tournament for failing to fulfil a fourth-round tie against Shelbourne. That decision was overturned on appeal by the club but they exited the tournament anyway, losing the tie 4–0.[5]
In the Europa Conference League, Dundalk reached the second qualifying round with a 3–1 aggregate win over Bruno's Magpies but were knocked out by KA, 5–3 on aggregate. Andy Boyle took the club record for appearances in Europe, playing his 41st match in the second leg against KA.[6]
First-Team Squad (2023) edit
Sources:[7] Note: Substitute appearances in brackets
| No. | Name | DOB | Pos. | Debut | League | FAI Cup | Europe | Leinster Cup | Totals | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||
| 1 |  Nathan Shepperd
|
10 September 2000 | GK | 2022 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| 2 |  Archie Davies
|
7 October 1998 | DF | 2023 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 0 |
| 3 |  Darragh Leahy
|
15 April 1998 | DF | 2020 | 20 (4) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| 4 | Andy Boyle
|
7 March 1991 | DF | 2013 | 17 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 |
| 5 |  Louie Annesley
|
3 May 2000 | DF | 2023 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| 6 | Alfie Lewis
|
28 September 1999 | MF | 2022 | 11 (14) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 7 | Daniel Kelly
|
21 May 1996 | MF | 2019 | 15 (12) | 8 | 2 (1) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 9 |
| 8 | Robbie Benson
|
7 May 1992 | MF | 2016 | 9 (5) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| 9 | Patrick Hoban
|
28 July 1991 | FW | 2013 | 24 (10) | 14 | 1 (1) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 15 |
| 10 | Greg Sloggett
|
3 July 1996 | MF | 2020 | 26 (1) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 3 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 |
| 11 | John Martin
|
5 January 1999 | MF | 2022 | 15 (17) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 (3) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 8 |
| 13 |  Peter Cherrie
|
1 October 1983 | GK | 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 14 | Cameron Elliott
|
27 May 1999 | FW | 2023 | 8 (15) | 1 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 |
| 15 | Daryl Horgan[a]
|
10 August 1992 | FW | 2014 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 |
| 16 | Hayden Muller
|
7 February 2002 | DF | 2023 | 27 (6) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 2 |
| 17 | Keith Ward
|
12 October 1990 | MF | 2011 | 5 (15) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 1 |
| 18 | Robert McCourt
|
6 April 1998 | DF | 2022 | 8 (5) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 19 | Darren Brownlie[b]
|
10 April 1994 | DF | 2023 | 7 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 20 |  Johannes Yli-Kokko[c]
|
24 August 2001 | MF | 2023 | 23 (5) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 3 |
| 21 | Paul Doyle
|
10 April 1998 | MF | 2022 | 11 (14) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 |
| 22 | Wasiri Williams[d]
|
1 April 2000 | DF | 2023 | 10 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 22 | Sam Durrant[e]
|
16 February 2002 | Winger | 2023 | 4 (6) | 2 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 23 | John Mountney
|
22 February 1993 | MF | 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Connor Malley
|
20 March 2000 | MF | 2023 | 26 (6) | 3 | 2 (1) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 |
| 28 | Ryan O'Kane
|
16 August 2003 | Winger | 2021 | 17 (17) | 3 | 2 (1) | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 3 |
| 29 | Senan Mullen
|
28 February 2005 | MF | 2023 | 2 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 77 | Rayhaan Tulloch[f]
|
20 January 2001 | Winger | 2023 | 14 (5) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 5 |
Competitions edit
Win Draw Loss
Premier Division edit
| 17 February 2023 Round 1 | Dundalk | 1–1 | U.C.D. | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | John Martin  34' |
Report | Behan 78' |
Attendance: 3,124 Referee: Arnold Hunter |
| 24 February 2023 Round 2 | Bohemians | 2–1 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Flores 45' McDaid 71' |
Report | Johannes Yli-Kokko 88' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,443 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 3 March 2023 Round 3 | Dundalk | 5–0 | St Patrick's Athletic | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 6' Louie Annesley 15'Rayhaan Tulloch 51'Daniel Kelly 53'Conor Malley 84' |
Report | Attendance: 3,487 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 6 March 2023 Round 4 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Shelbourne | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Rayhaan Tulloch 47' Andy Boyle 68' |
Report | Wilson 15' |
Attendance: 2,766 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 10 March 2023 Round 5 | Derry City | 0–0 | Dundalk | Derry |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 16 March 2023 Round 6 | Drogheda United | 0–1 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Report | Conor Malley 65' |
Stadium: Weavers Park Attendance: 2,193 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 31 March 2023 Round 7 | Dundalk | 0–4 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Robbie Benson  35' |
Report | Gaffney 22' Grace 37'Kenny 71'Burke 76' |
Attendance: 3,761 Referee: Arnold Hunter |
| 7 April 2023 Round 8 | Dundalk | 1–2 | Sligo Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Rayhaan Tulloch 44' |
Report | Mata 17' Radosavljevic 90' |
Attendance: 2,457 Referee: Damien McGraith |
| 10 April 2023 Round 9 | Cork City | 1–0 | Dundalk | Cork |
| 17:00 | Murphy 38' |
Report | Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,674 Referee: Sean Grant |
| 16 April 2023 Round 10 | Dundalk | 2–2 | Derry City | Oriel Park |
| 15:00 | Robbie Benson 71' Johannes Yli-Kokko 72'Wasiri Williams 86' |
Report | Doherty 44' Kavanagh 44' |
Attendance: 2,377 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 21 April 2023 Round 11 | Shelbourne | 1–1 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Farrell 9' Moylan 55' (pen.) |
Report | Rayhaan Tulloch 81' |
Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: 2,873 Referee: Damien McGraith |
| 28 April 2023 Round 12 | Dundalk | 3–2 | Drogheda United | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Ryan O'Kane 23' Pat Hoban 29'John Martin 90' |
Report | Deegan 50' Rooney 54'Draper 71' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,825 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 1 May 2023 Round 13 | U.C.D. | 0–2 | Dundalk | Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown |
| 17:00 | Report | John Martin 35' Ryan O'Kane 90' |
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: 759 Referee: Sean Grant |
| 6 May 2023 Round 14 | Sligo Rovers | 0–1 | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Report | Keith Ward 85' |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 2,643 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 12 May 2023 Round 15 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Cork City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Cameron Elliott 90' Patrick Hoban 90' |
Report | Owolabi 18' Honohan 86' Coleman 90' |
Attendance: 2,389 Referee: Damien McGraith |
| 15 May 2023 Round 16 | Derry City | 3–0 | Dundalk | Derry |
| 19:45 | McEneff 20' Kavanagh 61'Duffy 83' |
Report | Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 19 May 2023 Round 17 | Dundalk | 2–2 | Bohemians | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 3' Talbot (o.g.) 29' |
Report | Nowak 76' Coote 87' |
Attendance: 2,473 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 26 May 2023 Round 18 | St Patrick's Athletic | 2–1 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Doyle 31' Mulraney 54'Carty 81' |
Report | Rayhaan Tulloch 48' |
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 4,089 Referee: Ray Matthews |
| 2 June 2023 Round 19 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Greene 34', 61' Finn 49' |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 5,602 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 5 June 2023 Round 20 | Dundalk | 4–1 | U.C.D. | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 23', 53', 69' Daniel Kelly 41' |
Report | Doyle 7' |
Attendance: 1,762 Referee: Damien McGraith |
| 9 June 2023 Round 21 | Cork City | 1–2 | Dundalk | Cork |
| 19:45 | Annesley o.g. 20' |
Report | Ryan O'Kane 44' John Martin 85' |
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,815 Referee: Rob Hennessey |
| 23 June 2023 Round 22 | Drogheda United | 1–2 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Foley 9' Draper 81' |
Report | Patrick Hoban 79', 81' |
Stadium: Weavers Park Attendance: 2,278 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 26 June 2023 Round 23 | Dundalk | 1–1 | St Patrick's Athletic | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Rayhaan Tulloch 55' Daniel Kelly 86' |
Report | Carty 31' |
Attendance: 2,371 Referee: Damien McGraith |
| 30 June 2023 Round 24 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Louie Annesley 75' Patrick Hoban 77' |
Report | Attendance: 3,156 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 7 July 2023 Round 25 | Bohemians | 3–2 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | McManus 15' O’Sullivan 81'Afolabi 83' |
Report | Johannes Yli-Kokko 23' Conor Malley 38' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,328 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 6 August 2023 Round 26 | Dundalk | 1–1 | Shelbourne | Oriel Park |
| 17:00 | John Martin 39' |
Report | Wood 83' |
Attendance: 2,318 Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan |
| 11 August 2023 Round 27 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Sligo Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Daniel Kelly 11' |
Report | Attendance: 1,947 Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 25 August 2023 Round 28 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Lopes 62' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 6,021 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 1 September 2023 Round 29 | Dundalk | 1–3 | Derry City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 90' |
Report | Patching 42', 77' Doherty 47' |
Attendance: 2,861 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 22 September 2023 Round 30 | St Patrick's Athletic | 3–1 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Lonergan 49', 57' Melia 97' |
Report | Daniel Kelly 74' Robbie Benson 82' |
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 3,921 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 25 September 2023 Round 31 | Dundalk | 5–0 | Cork City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Hayden Muller 18' Daryl Horgan 27'Coleman (o.g.) 33'Sam Durrant 55'John Martin 87' |
Report | Attendance: Unreported Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 29 September 2023 Round 32 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Drogheda United | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Paul Doyle 39' Daniel Kelly 46'Patrick Hoban 76' |
Report | Robinson 25' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,728 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 6 October 2023 Round 33 | Shelbourne | 1–0 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Jarvis 4' |
Report | Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: 2,500 (est) Referee: Eoghan O’Shea |
| 20 October 2023 Round 34 | Sligo Rovers | 0–2 | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Burton 59' |
Report | Daryl Horgan 20' Sam Durrant 88' |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 1,753 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 27 October 2023 Round 35 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Bohemians | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Paul Doyle 78' Daniel Kelly 90' |
Report | Attendance: 3,000 (est) Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 4 November 2023 Round 36 | U.C.D. | 1–5 | Dundalk | Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown |
| 19:45 | Gallagher 6' |
Report | Paul Doyle 33' Daryl Horgan 64'Daniel Kelly 68'Pat Hoban 70', 86' |
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: unreported Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan |
League table edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | St Patrick's Athletic | 36 | 19 | 5 | 12 | 59 | 42 | +17 | 62 | Qualification to Conference League second qualifying round[g] |
| 4 | Shelbourne | 36 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 44 | 27 | +17 | 60 | Qualification to Conference League first qualifying round |
| 5 | Dundalk | 36 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 59 | 44 | +15 | 58 | |
| 6 | Bohemians | 36 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 53 | 40 | +13 | 58 | |
| 7 | Drogheda United | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 40 | 54 | −14 | 41 |
Source: SSE Airtricity League, [8]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[8]
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[8]
Notes:
- ^ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
- ^ signed 6 July 2023 ahead of Round 25
- ^ on season-long loan from HJK
- ^ on loan from Swansea City until Round 21
- ^ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
- ^ on loan from West Brom until Round 24
- ^ The 2023 FAI Cup winners qualified for the Conference League second qualifying round. Since the cup winners (St Patrick's Athletic) qualified based on league position, the second Conference League first qualifying round spot was passed to the fourth-placed team.
FAI Cup edit
| 23 July 2023 First round | Dundalk | 1–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 17:00 | Hayden Muller 23' Paul Doyle 31' |
Report | Attendance: 2,686 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 18 August 2023 Second round | Bray Wanderers | 0–1 | Dundalk | Bray, County Wicklow |
| 19:45 | Report | Daryl Horgan 86' |
Stadium: Carlisle Grounds Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 16 September 2023 Quarter final | Galway United | 4–0 | Dundalk | Galway |
| 19:45 | Walsh 8' McCarthy 20'Nugent 30'Hurley 39' |
Report | Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: David Dunne |
Leinster Senior Cup edit
| 24 March 2023 Fourth round | Dundalk | 0–4 | Shelbourne | Dundalk |
| 19:45 | Hayden Muller 5' |
Report | Moylan 8' Robinson 35'Caffrey 69'Arubi 81' |
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 950 Referee: Rob Harvey |
UEFA Europa Conference League edit
First qualifying round edit
| Bruno's Magpies | 0–0 | Dundalk |
|---|---|---|
| Report[10] |
Dundalk won 3–1 on aggregate.
Second qualifying round edit
| Dundalk | 2–2 |  KA |
|---|---|---|
| Report[15] |
|
KA won 5–3 on aggregate.
Awards edit
Player of the Month edit
| Month | Player | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| June | Patrick Hoban
|
[16] |
Footnotes edit
References edit
- ^ McLaughlin, Gavin. "#GNR120 – 120 YEARS ON, THE JOURNEY CONTINUES". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
- ^ Landy, Barry. "Patrick Hoban hits record milestone as Dundalk beat Drogs". rte.ie. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Buttner, Paul. "Patrick Hoban nets brace against UCD but Dundalk miss out on European spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
- ^ Rogers, James. "Rampant Galway blow Dundalk away to grab Cup semi-final spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
- ^ McLaughlin, Gavin. "DUNDALK FC 0-4 SHELBOURNE". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ Rogers, James. "Draw not enough for Dundalk". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Dundalk FC Squad 2023". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
- ^ a b "PREMIER DIVISION". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
- ^ "Bruno's Magpies vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "Magpies-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ "Dundalk vs. Bruno's Magpies" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Dundalk-Magpies". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
- ^ "KA vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
- ^ "KA-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Dundalk-KA". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Record-breaker Hoban takes monthly honour for June". rte.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2023.