Animasahun and Kenny both staying at Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC were handed a major boost over the Christmas period, with the re-signings of Mayowa Animasahun and Eoin Kenny both confirmed by the Oriel Park club.

Despite Drogheda United’s determined efforts to secure the services of 21-year-old defender Animasahun, the FAI Cup winners were ultimately unable to lure the Dundalk-born talent away from his hometown club, where he has signed for the 2025 season.

Even though Dundalk suffered relegation to the SSE Airtricity League First Division, Animasahun had his best run since debuting for the club in 2021 – totalling 21 appearances in 2024, from which he was named in the starting line-up 18 times.

In an interview with The Democrat at the end of the season, he didn’t wish to get drawn into conversations about his future prospects, with the ex-Glenmuir United schoolboy subsequently attracting the interest of Sports Direct FAI Cup winners Drogheda.

However, their efforts proved futile, after the big defender signed a fresh deal at Oriel. “It’s difficult to say because obviously the club was in a bit of trouble,” he told DFCTV when asked if there was any doubts about staying.

“I was keeping my eye on it to see if we got the licence or not, but once the club got the licence and you could see the direction the club was going, it was an easy decision to make.

“I feel I’ve made a few strides, but I always just want to make more. I never really look back at what I’ve done, I always look forward and I’m hoping to progress more.

“Ciaran (Kilduff) is a great guy,” he added. “It was nice to meet him. I watched him playing when I was younger. I’m looking forward to the year ahead. I’m really excited.

“Him coming into the building, seeing the direction the club was going, all of that, everything added together. The aim is automatic promotion, hopefully – that’s what we’re working towards now.”

Also staying with The Lilywhites, as they bid to return to the Premier Division, is striker Kenny, who also penned a new deal before celebrating his 19th birthday on Monday.

On the back of a productive loan spell with Wexford in 2023, the former Rock Celtic youngster made 30 appearances in all competitions for Dundalk in 2024, before recently undergoing a trial period with English Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

“I’m delighted to sign back,” Kenny said after agreeing fresh terms at Oriel. “It was a disappointing end to last season, but we’ve brushed that aside and it looks like a completely fresh start this season.

“It’s obviously still the same Dundalk we love, but it’s like signing for a new club the way everything has been sold to us. I’ve been really impressed by the management, and the setup for the coming year looks as good as it can be.

“I’m delighted and I’ll look to push on from my own personal performances last season and hopefully do well.

“I think there’s potential to create something really special. Our aim, everyone’s aim is to win the league, to get promotion. That’s the first thing we want to do – get Dundalk back in the Premier Division. I think the journey to do that can really be something special.

“It is a massive negative and it’s heart-breaking to get relegated, but it does create the potential for something really special this season, and a season that all the players, and I’m sure most of the fans, won’t forget, if we do well. But obviously there’s a lot of work to do before that happens.”

Dundalk have also confirmed that teenage defenders Vinnie Leonard and Luke Mulligan will form part of manager Ciaran Kilduff’s squad for the upcoming 2025 campaign.