Dundalk FC finish season by completing domestic double

Dundalk FC brought a triumphant close to a remarkable season by completing a domestic double, adding the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup to their SSE Airtricity League First Division title after a 2–1 victory over a strong St Patrick’s Athletic side at Richmond Park.

Amid lingering uncertainty off the pitch once again for Dundalk, Ciaran Kilduff’s men ensured the campaign at least ended in celebration on it, lifting the Leinster Senior Cup for the eighth time in the club’s history — and for the first time since 2015.

READ NEXT: Louth GAA club | Naomh Máirtín beat the Blues to win Joe Ward Cup

The Lilywhites began with intent and intensity, surging into a two-goal lead within the opening 11 minutes courtesy of well-taken efforts from Harry Groome and Rohan Vaughan.

St Pats struck back before the interval through Aidan Keena, but Dundalk’s resolve in the second half saw them withstand sustained pressure to claim their second trophy in just over three weeks.

Remarkably, Dundalk had not taken to the field in the competition since February, when they topped their group ahead of Usher Celtic, Shamrock Rovers, and Malahide United.

They progressed to the final via walkovers against North End United in the quarter-finals and Bohemians in the semi-finals, setting up a showdown with St Patrick’s Athletic, winners of the competition in 2024.

Confirmed scarcely 48 hours before kick-off, the fixture served as the formal curtain call to Dundalk’s competitive season.

Kilduff used the occasion to rest many of his First Division-winning regulars, instead entrusting several promising young players with valuable minutes — among them goalkeeper Sammy Safaei, who produced a series of exceptional saves, and left-back Rhys O’Hare, a former Shamrocks player and De La Salle student.

One of the evening’s more endearing subplots emerged from the bench, where strength and conditioning coach Ronan Murray — donning the number 28 shirt — was named among the substitutes.

The 34-year-old, who retired from professional football four years ago and was part of Dundalk’s 2018 League and FAI Cup double-winning squad, made a surprise return to action in the 54th minute, replacing captain Keith Ward.

By then, Dundalk had already stunned the hosts with a blistering start. Inside five minutes, Groome found the net from close range after being set up by Eoin Kenny — playing, notably, against a side managed by his father, Stephen.

The advantage doubled just six minutes later when Queens Park Rangers loanee Vaughan, making his final appearance before returning to London, latched onto a lofted pass before finishing past Danny Rogers.

St Pats reduced the deficit on 27 minutes when Jake Mulraney’s cross was only partially cleared by O’Hare, allowing Keena to volley home from close range. The hosts thought they had drawn level shortly after, but an offside flag curtailed their celebrations.

Dundalk spurned a golden opportunity early in the second half to restore their cushion when Ward dragged a penalty wide of the mark. Minutes later, St Pats’ challenge grew steeper as Jordon Garrick received two quick yellow cards and was dismissed by referee Oliver Moran.

From that moment, Dundalk showed composure beyond their years, absorbing the remainder of the 90 minutes — plus seven tense minutes of stoppage time — to end their near-perfect season on a high.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Danny Rogers; Sean Hoare (Axel Sjoberg 53), Luke Turner, Anto Breslin, Al-Amin Kazeem (Samuel Ogungbe 90+7); Darren Robinson; Jake Mulraney, Brandon Kavanagh, Jordon Garrick; Conor Carty, Aidan Keena

Subs not used: Sean Molloy (gk), Jonathan Kehir, Harry Leonard, Jason Spelman, Anthony Dodd

Dundalk FC: Sammy Safaei (Enda Minogue 90+3); Luke Mulligan, Ethen Vaughan, Harry Groome, Rhys O’Hare (Tom McLoughlin HT); Andy Paraschiv, Keith Ward (Ronan Murray 54); Eoin Kenny, Rohan Vaughan, Norman Garbett; Gbemi Arubi (TJ Molloy 83)

Subs not used: Conall Alfred, Cian Spaight, Davin O’Connor

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin)