Horgan reflects on Dundalk’s resurgence at First Division summit

Dundalk FC captain Daryl Horgan has spoken about the club’s remarkable transformation, reflecting on the challenges of last season and the positive momentum they are now experiencing as they sit at the top the SSE Airtricity League First Division table.

The Lilywhites, relegated last October after a 16-season tenure in the Premier Division, have adapted seamlessly to life in the second tier, currently sitting seven points clear at the top after eight matches.

For Horgan, who has experienced the highest of highs at Dundalk—such as their 2016 run to the Europa League group stage—as well as the deepest of lows, including last season’s relegation and the looming threat of liquidation, the first few months of 2025 have provided a much-needed sense of relief and renewal for the 32-year-old former Republic of Ireland international.

READ MORE: Both teams suffered on UCD pitch, says Dundalk boss

“There’s no bones about it, it was crap,” Horgan reflected on last season when speaking with The Democrat, before adding: “You couldn’t buy a win. Just everything that went on, it was a tough, tough year for everybody. But this year, there’s a real rapport with the support.

“The manager has cultivated that. Not saying the other group wasn’t, but it’s a really likeable group now. I feel people have really bought into what the young lads are doing and the work they’re putting into it, and it has a real feel of togetherness.

“When you’re winning games, it helps. If we lost four of the first eight or whatever, it might feel different, but it feels how it feels because the lads have bought in, the staff, the management, the fans, the owners. Everybody’s coming in as one community, and it feels that way at the minute. It’s great.”

Horgan, who recently marked his 200th appearance in Dundalk colours, captained the side in their latest fixture against UCD, leading The Lilywhites to a hard-fought 1-0 victory in challenging conditions at Belfield.

“They’re a very, very good side,” said the Galwegian afterwards. “They’re fit, strong, young players, a lot of talent there. The pitch wasn’t conducive to a clean, nice game of football.

“It was a war, and the chances were few and far between, but (Leo) Gaxha scores the one that wins us the game, and that’s all that matters at the end of it.

“We had to get over the line by any means possible and we did that. We defended unbelievably well, the back four were incredible. It was a really good, hard-won game.

“You have to win games in every way imaginable in this league, in any league really. To be able to grind it out—bodies on the line, blocks in the last minute—is brilliant.

“We’ve had a couple of those ones where we’ve had to really dig it out, we’ve had Harps and Kerry and another one here today. To be able to do that is a fantastic sign of the character of the group, and we’ll have a lot more of those by the end of the season, I think.”

Next up for Dundalk is a home clash with Cobh Ramblers, who make the trip to Oriel Park this Friday night (kick-off: 7.45pm), as the hosts look to maintain their seven-point cushion at the summit of the First Division table.

“It’s a huge game for us,” previewed Horgan. “They’re all big, every one counts. You look at what happened midweek with the points deductions and things like that.

“I think Wexford went from fourth to ninth, Kerry went to 10th, and UCD went from 10th to fourth, it’s crazy.

“It’s so tight. Obviously, we’ve got a bit of a lead now at the minute, but it’s a long, long way to go and we just have to take it game by game at this point.

“We feel we’re in a really strong position to go up. I have real confidence in the group and how we’re doing, but the way we do it is we take it game by game. We’ve got Cobh Ramblers to deal with now on Friday.

“We enjoy this win today because, like last season, they don’t always come around, but we’re fully focused now on Cobh and it’ll be another really big challenge.

“They’ve recruited well, they’re strong. They’ve had a bit of a blip and they’ll want to bounce back, so it’ll be a big game.”