Club name: Dundalk
Stadium: Oriel Park
Manager: Ian Foster
Founded: 1903
Finished last season: sixth
Players in: Jason Byrne (Bohemians), Keith Ward (UCD), Mark Quigley (Bohemians), Michael Hector (Reading), Eoghan Osborne (Drogheda United), Greg Bolger (Sporting Fingal), Colin Hawkins (Sporting Fingal).
Players out: Mathew Tipton (Portadown), Tom Miller (Newport County), Garry Breen (Portadown), Liam Burns (Bohemians).
If you get to see Dundalk at Oriel Park this season, expect goals. Ian Foster has brought in two of the most potent forwards in the league from Bohemians – Jason Byrne and Mark Quigley – and with Eoghan Osborne and Greg Bolger, amongst others, making the move to the Lilywhites, it looks like they’ll make a definite improvement on last season’s sixth-place finish.
Last season, Dundalk scored just 46 goals in 36 games, conceding 50 in the process, so a definite increase will be on the cards once Byrne and Quigley stay fit. Add exciting young prospect Daniel Kearns into the equation and they will be a sight to behold going forward.
However, there is a possible Achilles heel at the back. While they have big names leading the line, a shortage of back-up in defence could trouble them. In saying that, once they don’t have a major injury crisis, there shouldn’t be too many drastic problems either with Peter Cherrie marshalling the backline from between the posts.
A thrilling 5-3 victory over Linfield away in the Setanta Cup on Valentine’s Day would have been a boost too, although they face the most difficult of starts away to Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
The Score’s Verdict: third.
View from the terraces
Keith Wallace, Dundalk fan
Where will you finish this season? Fourth.
How will you do on opening weekend? Beat Shamrock Rovers 3-2.
Key man? Peter Cherrie.
Weak link? No comment!
New signing you’re most looking forward to seeing? Mark Quigley.
League’s best player (outside your club)? Shaun Williams.
League’s best gaffer (outside your club)? Martin Russell.
Easiest fixture? Home to Drogheda United.
Toughest fixture? Bray Wanderers, anywhere.
Best away atmosphere? Drogheda United.
Worst away atmosphere? Galway United.
Favourite terrace chant? I just can’t get enough…
