Leonard’s double Dundalk honour prepares him for U17 World Cup stage

As Dundalk FC’s players celebrated with supporters and family after their 2–1 victory over Cobh Ramblers on the final night of the SSE Airtricity League First Division season, relishing a well-earned break, Meath native Vinnie Leonard was already turning his focus to another big stage—the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Expected to be named in Colin O’Brien’s Republic of Ireland squad for next month’s finals in Qatar, where Ireland make their historic first appearance at the tournament, Leonard has enjoyed a stellar season at the heart of Dundalk’s defence, playing a key role in their promotion to the Premier Division.

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Drawn in Group J, Ireland will take on Panama (November 5th), Uzbekistan (November 8th), and Paraguay (November 11th) in what promises to be an exciting test for O’Brien’s young side.

“I can’t wait for that,” Leonard told The Democrat, reflecting on his breakthrough year. “It’s another chance to perform on another stage, and I’m just looking forward to it. I’m going to take it in my stride.

“I’ve just taken it all as it came, to be honest; I don’t really know what to say. I’ve just taken it as it comes, and I’ve enjoyed every second of it, and I’m just glad to get the club back to where they are.”

Before their clash with runners-up Cobh, Dundalk had already secured the First Division title a week earlier, marking the end of a remarkable campaign that saw The Lilywhites finish 10 points clear at the summit, boasting both the league’s most potent attack and its strongest defence.

It was a fitting finale for Leonard, who opened the season with the first goal at Oriel Park in February and closed it with a stoppage-time header in the 3–0 win over Finn Harps—a moment that ignited wild celebrations and perfectly epitomised a season interrupted only by international duty.

“I couldn’t ask for a better finish and a better start,” he said. “It’s been a great season. I’ve enjoyed it all. People probably looking in thought it was getting close towards the end, so just to get that gap between us, it’s always good.

“We have the best defence in the league—Mayowa (Animasahun), Sean (Keogh) when he was here, JR (Wilson) to come in, Chief (O’Keeffe), everyone, all the subs—it’s been great.”

Just a day after Dundalk’s 2–1 victory over Cobh at St Colman’s Park, Leonard’s remarkable rise was further recognised as he claimed both The 1903 Supporters Club Young Player of the Year and the Shed Side Army Player of the Year awards.

The double honour perfectly encapsulated a stellar 12 months for the 17-year-old, who only made his League of Ireland debut in the final home fixture of last season and has since drawn admiring glances from abroad—with Celtic and Norwich City among those monitoring his progress, alongside continental interest from Genoa, Lille, and Lyon.

In their final match against Cobh—an encounter settled by Rohan Vaughan’s exquisite late winner—Leonard stood as the sole player to retain his place in the starting 11 from the previous week’s title-clinching triumph over Finn Harps.

“It was great, obviously, for Rohan to get the goal at the end as well, and he took it so nicely,” reflected Leonard, who had been substituted by that stage. “We said if we get a goal, we’re all going to go onto the pitch and just create the scenes, and we did.

“I was happy for Rohan and happy for the club and fans as well. Something to celebrate at the end—another win, winning the league by 10 points now—so I think it’s a good statement.

“We took every game one game at a time, but I think, going into the Finn Harps game last week, we knew we had to do it. When there are 3,300 fans coming out to a game, you nearly know you owe it to them, so I think last week we knew we were going to win.

“It was just the attitude going into the game. It was class. Even to score at the end as well—straight into a pitch invasion—you can’t ask for much more.”