Dundalk FC set for long journey to Ballybofey

Ciaran Kilduff remains measured despite Dundalk FC’s winning start to their SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign, keeping his focus firmly on the next challenge – a long journey to Finn Harps in Ballybofey tonight (kick-off, 7.45 pm).

The Donegal side were defeated 2-0 by 10-man Kerry in their opening match of the 2025 season, while Dundalk beat fellow promotion favourites Athlone Town by a 1-0 scoreline.

Dundalk, having suffered relegation to the League of Ireland’s second tier last October, found their hero through an unlikely source in 16-year-old defender Vinnie Leonard.

The youngster rose to the occasion, his powerful header on 36 minutes proving decisive in front of a 2,600-strong crowd at Oriel Park, securing a vital victory for Kilduff’s side.

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However, The Lilywhites’ manager remains grounded despite their perfect start, keeping his sights firmly set on their next assignment – a long trip to Finn Harps this weekend.

“There’s no easy games in this division, let me tell you,” he warned. “You can see scores as the weeks go by. Teams are capable of beating anyone on the night if you’re any way off it.

“I know this division, I played in it three years ago with Shels. There’s no easy way out, and if we’re trying to plot a way out, it’s going to be every week, week after week.

“Tonight was only three points. There’s three more next week and the week after. It’s just a decent start.”

Dundalk boasts a superb record against Harps, having suffered just one defeat – in March 2021 – from their last 23 meetings in all competitions versus the Donegal side.

Indeed, The Lilywhites remain unbeaten in their last 11 visits to Finn Park – a streak so enduring that Friday’s goalscorer, Leonard, had yet to be born when Dundalk last tasted defeat in Ballybofey after a promotion/relegation playoff semi-final in November 2007.

On Friday night against Athlone, Dundalk were boosted by the return, off the substitutes’ bench, of on-loan defender Sean McHale, who picked up an injury during pre-season, while Gbemi Arubi, Norman Garbett and Ethen Vaughan are also on the comeback trail.

“Two of the three will be on the way back anyway,” said Kilduff. “We’ll have to assess more bodies. It’s week to week and we’re only up and running now, but we do have a squad and we do trust it.

“There’s a couple of lads on that pitch that we don’t treat like kids. Eoin Kenny is still so young; he plays beyond his years.

“Andy Paraschiv is only 17 himself, getting thrown into a game. Mo (Haris) as well, just been thrown in. It’s tough for these young lads, but that’s where we are right now.

“You listed a few lads that were missing through injury that hopefully have a bit more experience when they come back. Sean McHale has only trained two, three times this week fully.

“Not that we’re thin, but we knew at the start of the season that we had a blend of youth and experience and we’re just going to have to pick and choose when to throw them in.

“I thought to a man (against Athlone), to get it over the line, to win on the opening night – they’re a good team with good players. They’re not going to be far away.

“They’ve signed players from Sligo and Bohs, top players to come in there. I thought we were worthy of the win, but it’s over. Now we move on to the next one.”