Buckley “buzzing” to start new Dundalk FC chapter

Dundalk FC have completed the signing of midfielder Keith Buckley, who joins from Bohemian FC.

The 33-year-old missed the entire 2024 season with an injury and struggled to re-establish himself at Dalymount Park once fit.

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When speaking with DFCTV on his new move, he said: “Yeah, look, I'm only in the building, I'm only getting to know people. But I'm sure over the next few weeks and the preseason I'll get to know more people around the place.”

Leaving Bohemians was never going to be simple, and he made it clear that football’s unforgiving nature played its part.

“It had nothing to do with an injury. Look, it's a game of opinions, and you have to respect that. Managers have their own opinions, and I have my opinion, that's football.

“You can't always be a favourite to every manager that comes in the door, and that's the way it goes. I just kept an eye on the club, because of the likes of John Mountney, who was at Bohs, and Keith Ward, I’m good friends with Wardy.

“Then I met with Kilduff, and he explained there were a lot of things going on, what was happening, and stuff like that, and people might see things online, and it’s not as bad as it seems.

“It's the first time I’ve come over to this side of the pitch. People here as an away fan, and you might think it’s a bit drab.

“But coming here, I hadn’t seen all these new facilities which were probably done since the European days, probably done for five or six years now, but I hadn't seen them. It's good.”

The task is to help get Dundalk competing again at the level the supporters expect.

“It’s going to be a different challenge. Last year, they were winning a lot of games. It’s a young squad, so there’s a lot of learning for them, young ones, stepping up. It’s a big step up.

“We’ve got to be ready. This club is at a bit of a boiling point. It’s just waiting to kick off, and that’s what I’m here to help them do.”

Experience will be crucial, especially in a dressing room filled with emerging talent.

“It's a really young team. I was just training with them, looking at the new faces.Daryl’s an ex-international. He’s played in Scotland and stuff.

“He has experience there. Hopefully, a couple of lads can come in through the door as well and help bring that experience as well.”

Buckley reflected on the years spent battling against Dundalk and how different it will feel to have the crowd behind him.

“We do always say that coming down here is good. The atmosphere is always good. I even remember maybe 10 or 12 years ago when they were just kept up.

“So I have seen them being kept up in the league, and then I think they won the league one night when I was playing against them. That wasn't a nice sight.

“This is what most people have in the town: their club, and they want to see them on a Friday night, and we want to get them going and excited again.

“I can't wait, and it is starting a week or two earlier. It's a fresh start for myself and a new challenge for me.

“But I'm looking forward to it. I'm actually really excited to get going, I'm buzzing. I've been out a year or so, really, not injury-wise, but game time. I'm itching to get going and get on the pitch to be competing.”