DUNDALK HAVE BEEN handed a major boost ahead of the new SSE Airtricity League campaign with news that star midfielder Richie Towell has signed a new deal.
The 23-year-old former Celtic youth player was one of the league’s stand-out performers in 2014 as the Lilywhites won the Premier Division title under Stephen Kenny.
Towell was expected to depart at the end of the season, but despite a trial with Cardiff City and firm interest from a number of clubs including Blackpool and Motherwell, the Dubliner has committed his future to Dundalk.
“I’m really delighted to be staying,” Towell said. “Last year was amazing what we done. Winning the league and the (EA Sports) cup as well was brilliant to be part of. It was a no-brainer for me. If I was to sign back for a club in the league of Ireland it was only going to be one.
I’m delighted to stay at Dundalk and it’s great to be back.”
Although Patrick Hoban and Peter Cherrie have left, Kenny has been able to hold onto most of last year’s squad while also adding experienced midfielder Ronan Finn from Shamrock Rovers.
And Towell is hoping they can pick up where they left off domestically and also string together a run in Europe.
“I think you can see with the players that Stephen (Kenny) has brought in and the guys that he has re-signed, there’s some great players here, we are looking good. We’re a stronger team than we were last year.
“The aim is to try and retain our title. We are all looking forward to trying to defend it and it is a huge challenge but that’s our aim. We want to have a go in everything and we have Europe to look forward to as well so hopefully we can get a good run there too.”
Originally published at 13.57
