McDaid set to sign as Dundalk bolster squad ahead of run-in

Dundalk FC are poised to unveil the signing of former Bohemians and Athlone Town winger Declan McDaid, The Democrat understands.

The move comes in the wake of a significant blow for The Lilywhites, with Leo Gaxha sidelined for the remainder of the season following an ACL injury sustained during the narrow 1-0 defeat to Finn Harps in Ballybofey the Monday before last.

READ NEXT: Former Louth schoolboy represents Ireland at World Rugby U20 Championships

In response, manager Ciaran Kilduff has shifted his attention to the transfer market—officially opening today, Tuesday, July 1st—in a bid to reinforce his squad.

McDaid is expected to fill the void left by Gaxha, who had been a bright spark in the campaign, netting five goals in 18 SSE Airtricity League First Division appearances.

“He got a scan; it’s a knee injury,” confirmed Kilduff. “You probably fear the worst for him, but until we get a conclusive scan result, I wouldn’t put a diagnosis on it, but most likely he won’t be back before Christmas.”

Although Dylan McGlade had been training with Dundalk and was under consideration, Kilduff has confirmed the club will not pursue a move for the former Cork City winger, with a deal for a new signing in that position—believed to be McDaid—now close to completion.

“I don’t think anything will happen there,” Kilduff said when asked if McGlade remained a target, before adding: “We’re talking to a few, and one is very close to being done.

“We knew we needed to strengthen anyway. We had two empty seats on the bench (for the last two games). It wasn’t just one player—we knew we had to strengthen.

“In fairness to John (Temple) and the club, they’re really ambitious and want to push us on and back us to see if we can achieve something this year.

“We’re in a great position, but we need to strengthen. Everyone knows that, especially after losing players like Leo, and unfortunately, Conor O’Keeffe won’t be back this week or next either.

“So there are a few lengthy ones that you’re going, ‘Well, hopefully we can get some reinforcements in,’ not really to replace anyone, but actually to support us and help us, and I think the right people will become available and we’ll snap up one or two in the coming days.”

McDaid, who most recently featured for Athlone, is set to become Dundalk’s second signing of the mid-season window, following the arrival of right-back John Ross Wilson—also from Athlone.

A native of Greenock, Scotland, McDaid began his career with his hometown club Morton before going on to feature in the Scottish Premiership with Partick Thistle and Dundee—the latter of whom he left to join Bohemians in the League of Ireland in 2022.

The 29-year-old netted nine goals across 83 appearances in all competitions for Bohs before making the move to Athlone at the start of the current campaign.

However, both he and Wilson departed the Westmeath club amid ongoing financial difficulties.

While Dundalk continue to explore further reinforcements in midfield and up front, winger Norman Garbett is just two weeks away from returning to action following a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since early March, while defender Ethen Vaughan is also nearing a return to fitness.

“They’re going to be like new players to me,” said Kilduff. “We saw their quality in pre-season. Obviously, it hasn’t happened for them yet, but the business end of the season is coming now and there’s a lot of games still left, so we’ll drive them on. These lads are all going to have a huge role to play.”