LAST UPDATE | 24 Dec 2021
THE LEAGUE OF Ireland transfer season continues, with striker Tunde Owolabi swapping Finn Harps for St Patrick’s Athletic as John Mountney has returned to Dundalk.
Belgian-born forward Owolabi joined Harps Scottish club Hamilton and enjoyed a fine season, scoring 10 goals in 30 Premier Division appearances. That haul included a hat-trick at home to his new employer.
“We are very happy to welcome Tunde to the club”, said Pat’s boss Tim Clancy. “He has unbelievable pace and will be a very good acquisition for the club. He scored 10 goals last season for Finn Harps and was a threat every time I watched him or managed against him.
“He’ll bring something different to the team, he is willing to play on the shoulder and run in behind but is also a very good finisher, he’ll improve the team and the squad and we are looking forward to working with him.”
Owolabi joins Anto Breslin and Drogheda pair Mark Doyle and Joe Redmond in moving to Richmond Park, amid weeks of upheaval following their victory in the FAI Cup.
Clancy has replaced Stephen O’Donnell in charge following the latter’s return to Dundalk, where has been joined by Robbie Benson and now Mountney.
Mountney spent nine seasons at Oriel Park between 2012 and 2020 – winning five league titles and three FAI Cups – before moving to Pat’s for the 2021 season. He missed their FAI Cup triumph with a serious knee injury that sidelined him for the season’s end.
“It feels great to be back,” said Mountney. “There is a great buzz around the place and it feels good to be home. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to Dundalk.
“I’ve lived here for so long and even last year I commuted to Dublin, so there was always a thought in the back of my mind and when Stephen O’Donnell came back as head coach, I was waiting for a phone call, hoping I’d get the chance to come back.
“I’m thrilled to get John back in the building, from a personality standpoint, a culture standpoint and a football standpoint,” said O’Donnell.
“He was having a very good season at St Pat’s last year and his last game for the club, ironically enough, proved to be at Oriel Park where he picked up a bad knee injury. Since then, his rehab has been very good and his recovery is going smoothly.”
Mountney is the 11th player to sign a contract with the Lilywhites over the past 12 days, following Patrick Hoban, Robbie Benson, Daniel Kelly, Darragh Leahy, Paul Doyle, David McMillan, John Martin, Peter Cherrie, Keith Ward and Greg Sloggett.
Defender Paddy Barrett won’t be joining them: he has extended his stay at Pat’s by signing a new long-term contract with the club, a timely boost given Shane Griffin and Lee Desmond have moved on.
