Mountney to weigh up options on his Dundalk FC future

John Mountney has been offered the chance to remain a Dundalk FC player – but the out-of-contract skipper admits he has other options on the table ahead of next season.

After missing the entire 2023 campaign through injury, the 31-year-old Mayoman bounced back admirably this term, but despite featuring in 28 of 36 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures, he couldn’t prevent The Lilywhites from relegation.

Mountney is one of several first-team players employed at Oriel Park to effectively become a free agent at the end of the month, however he has left the door open to the possibility of staying at the club he made his debut for all the way back in 2012.

“There’s no real update as such,” he said in the latest episode of the Town End Podcast. “I’d be lying if I told you I don’t have options.

“I’m in a lucky position, I have options and it’s a case of just weighing it all up and seeing what’s the best for myself to do.

“Of course, I have to think of the family as well and it’s going to be a tough time to take it all in because I have such an emotional attachment to Dundalk.

“I’m glad to say that I’ve spoke to the club and that option (to remain) is there and I’m grateful that I have that. We’re going away for a week and it’s a case of switching off and then coming back and seeing what’s right for me to do.”

Irrespective of his own future, the Dundalk captain is confident the club can steer itself back in the right direction under newly-appointed manager Ciaran Kilduff.

Mountney, who over the years has accumulated a total of 348 appearances for The Lilywhites, played alongside Kilduff for two years as the club won Premier Division titles in 2015 and 2016 – not to mention an historic run to the Europa League’s group phase.

“One of the traits he has is he’s selfless,” praised Mountney. “I remember as a player, if David McMillan was playing up front ahead of him, he still trained right and he was ready to come off the bench as he did in some games and had massive moments for Dundalk. That’s what he’s like and I think he’ll bring the right people in with him.

“I was excited when I heard Ciaran Kilduff is coming in. Depending on what’s going on behind the scenes, if he is given the licence to go and get a couple of players, I think Dundalk could be in a strong position football wise to bounce straight back.”

He added: “I think it’s a positive move for the club. He’s young, he’s hungry, he’s already had experience with Athlone’s women and had success. He ticks a lot of boxes.

“I know he’d probably be sacrificing a lot to come here, but he wants to come for the good of the club and I’m sure he’ll want to have that purity about it of just strictly football.

“I hope Liam Burns as well is involved going forward because I think he’s a massive part of it. When things were low last year, Liam was the one lifting lads up all around the club and doing so much.

“Dundalk’s too big of a club to be in Division One. The big thing was getting a manager straight away I thought. That gives him a chance to get a squad assembled and hopefully Dundalk bounce straight back up because Dundalk needs to be in the Premier Division.”