Young Star Rising: Dundalk signs 17-year-old Sean Keogh to professional contract

Dundalk FC have announced that Sean Keogh has signed a professional contract with the club.

The 17-year-old defender arrived at Oriel Park at the beginning of the 2023 campaign and was a key member of our U17 side that went close to winning the LOI Academy title.

He made his first-team debut in the 1-1 draw with Shelbourne at the AUL in January and backed that up with an assured display in the friendly against Longford Town two weeks later.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” he told dundalkfc.com.

“Two years ago I was playing in the DDSL and I didn’t even know if I’d get back into an LOI Academy team so everything has happened so quickly. It’s been amazing.

“Being with the first team is a completely different level to what I’ve been used to but they’ve all made me feel welcome and I’ve enjoyed it.

Keogh will combine training with the first team alongside his Leaving Cert studies at Skerries Community College, where he is a fifth-year student.

“It’s a massive jump from U17 football and I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest. Over Christmas, I thought if I was lucky I’d get a chance to get to train with the first team but I’ve come in and managed to do well and it’s great for myself and my family.”

Keogh is the third academy player to sign a professional contract with the club in the last 12 months, following in the footsteps of Eoin Kenny and Luke Mulligan.

“It’s great to see lads coming through,” said Sean. “When I saw Eoin sign a professional deal last year and Luke sign one before Christmas, I said to myself it was something I wanted to do too so I’m delighted.”