The Commentary Box: Another busy week for Dundalk FC

It's been yet another busy week for Dundalk FC, both on and off the field. The new season will begin on Friday, February 5th. Official fixtures for the long league season ahead were released a week ago this week.

Dundalk supporters could look at the Premier Division Fixture list with their side having returned to the top flight after being relegated last season. And what a start to the season Dundalk have been given.

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They will play League Champions and FAI Cup holders Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, possibly in front of a crowd of 11,000. The fixture does not come any more difficult than that.

But then look at every other game Dundalk have in the division, and one would realise that they will have a cup final every week, such are the opponents that they will have.

After facing Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk will be at home to a star-studded Derry City team, who find themselves in the Europa League, the same competition Shamrock Rovers are in.

This will be Dundalk's first competitive home game in the Premier Division at Oriel since Derry relegated them in the league at the end of the 2024 season. Dundalk, of course, also came very close to going out of football a month before that as well.

They were on the verge of bankruptcy. That the club narrowly survived becoming extinct is one thing. A year later, they are back in the big time.

The second most successful team in the League of Ireland has not even had the time to become a sleeping giant.

Many thought this giant of a club would sleep for a long time before it awakened again. But a return to Premier Division football in a year ensures this will not happen. The giant has awakened.

Dundalk, of course, will be favourites to go straight back down by many, particularly in the Dublin media. But I believe Dundalk can use this season as a year of consolidating themselves in the Premier Division.

They have nothing to fear. They have built up a talented squad that could surprise many. And the stadium is at last seeing an improvement to its infrastructure. Oriel Park will have its new astro turf pitch in action.

It will greatly reduce injuries in comparison to those picked up on the 2017 astro installed. A new state-of-the-art floodlighting system will also be installed. This should be ready early into the new season.

Dundalk's third league fixture will come against another top side. That's neighbours Drogheda United at home. The next game will be against none other than Stephen Kenny's St. Patrick's Athletic away in Inchicore.

Pats are always a very difficult side to play against. But they will be especially hard to beat this season. Stephen Kenny has strengthened his team even further than last season.

Pats were ironically favourites to win the league last season. Their challenge began to fall away at the latter end of the season.

They also narrowly missed out on next season's European competitions. But they have built up a very strong squad again this season.

And they will be well fancied by the bookies to win at least one of the top competitions in Irish football next season. Manager Ciaran Kilduff has the following panel so far to hand.

Enda Minogue, Conor O'Keeffe, AodhDervin, Daryl Horgan, Harry Groome, Gbemi Arubi, Vinnie Leonard, Shane Tracey, Declan McDaid, Norman Garbett, Keith Ward, Harvey Warren, Gavin Teahan, Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy, Keith Buckley and Leo Gaxha.

Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff lost his grandmother in the past 10 days. "Yes, it happened very suddenly. I have been off the grid, dealing with the loss of my gran.

"On the comforting side, my gran did get a good send-off. But she will be so badly missed by all of the family, including myself. It's been a very busy build-up preparing for the new season.

"And when my gran died, it did, of course, mean that I would lose some concentration on the football world. Family is, of course, always the most important thing in my life.

"It was great to get the fixtures on Tuesday. Now we know what is really ahead of us. I am really excited at the prospect of playing Shamrock Rovers and Derry City in our opening games in the league.

"Yes, the opening two games do not come any more difficult. But all games will be equally difficult. And we will all have to play each other at some stage. There is no better test than facing the champions in their own backyard, on the opening night.

"It is an exciting opening fixture. But it is one that will keep the heads focused throughout the month of January. Every game is massive. And it is great.

"But there are only fine margins between many of the teams in the Premier Division. Look at Cork City. They were narrowly beaten in many games, having been promoted the year before.

"And do not forget, they were only promoted the season before. There is no doubt that there is a gap and a gulf between the First and Premier Divisions.

"We will have to pick up as many points again. Firstly, to ensure our safety and then establish as high a position as we can in the league. We are the newly promoted team in the Division.

"So I can understand why people may think we might be favourites to finish in the lower half of the table or even finish bottom. But it will take the first round of games in the league for us to see exactly where we are.

"We hope to finish as high up the table as we can. And I think that we are well capable of doing that. I would like to think that we are a club that is on a rise.

"And we intend to be a club that will make a good account of ourselves. We want to consolidate ourselves in the league this season. And I think that we can.

"The task at hand is daunting. The club is going through a transition itself right now. We have a new pitch. We have new owners. There are a lot of good things going on around the club at the moment.

"We want to keep the positive feeling that is going right through Dundalk FC right now. It was fantastic that the supporters were able to provide the necessary capital to draw down the grant for the new pitch and the floodlighting.

"They can be so proud of themselves. It was great to see the different stakeholders in the club working together. The more positivity that we can get around the place, the better.

"I really like the look of the new jersey. Its brilliant training is also going so well. For a change, Gerry, I am able to have a conversation with you, where there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel."

"On news reports that there was a Manchester United England under-19 player on trial with Dundalk as a goalkeeper, the manager dismissed the reports out of hand.

"There is no truth in this whatsoever. I have never met the player Gerry, nor indeed have I spoken to the player. I am not even sure of the player. He has not been in with us.

"Again, I say there is no truth in this whatsoever." The player's name is Ely Harrison. The Manchester United U19 goalkeeper is highly rated. I am just glad to clear up this report, which I got last week. It did come from a usually reliable source.

"I was really delighted to get Gbemi and Mayowa back in the team for next season. Gbemi was previously involved with Waterford before he came last season.

"Mayowa was with Dundalk in a previous spell before he returned to us last season. They have both matured in terms of their own development. Gbemi was in the Premier Division with Waterford two seasons ago.

"Last season, he was a great help to us, as was Mayowa. Gbemi is an excellent striker. On the other hand, Mayowa is my type of defender. He is clinical and athletic. He is only 22.

"Gbemi is only 20. Both have a great chance to do it at the highest level. There is no reason why both won't kick on to higher levels again next season.

"Vinnie Leonard is not out of contract in July. He will not be out of contract until the end of next season. He had a great season with Dundalk last season. He should have another good season ahead next year.

"There is a lot of interest in Vinny. I am not surprised. He had a marvellous Under-17 World Cup just gone by. Vinny is training very well for us every day. He has a lot going on as well with the interest in him from foreign clubs.

"Luke Mulligan is back in our books as well for next season. He is a great player. Luke was always one player I always intended to bring back to the club as well. Declan McDaid is back with us.

"He gave us so much experience last season from the window last July. He was a great signing. I think he will give us vital experience again next season.

"Declan had a big impact last season. I believe there is more to come from him next season. He has great experience and is a very popular character in the squad.

"I have a very good relationship with Eoin Kenny. Yes, I would love to see him staying with Dundalk. He is only 19, and he is coming off the back of a very good season.

"But we are far away from a decision being made one way or the other about him staying at Oriel. I have a lot of communication with Eoin.

"But I suppose there is some stuff going on for Eoin with other clubs and other agents that are out of my hands. But again, I would love to think that Eoin will be with Dundalk next season.

"Bobby Burns is an excellent player. We signed him a few weeks ago. He is an excellent defender. He has great Premier Division experience. He reminds me of a JR Wilson style of player.

"He is highly rated in the League of Ireland. Bobby has a great attitude, and I am really delighted to get him in the building. He has only trained with us for the first time this week.

"He has already shown great ability. We are very close to signing JR  Wilson. He had other career issues to deal with last season. But we are now nearly there, and hopefully he will be joining us.

"Harvey Warren is a new member to our squad. He has signed from Bray. He has also played with Shelbourne. It was very noticeable last season that when he played with Bray, he would score a lot of goals.

"He is a young defender and comes to Oriel with a lot of attributes. Harvey was really eager to come to Dundalk. He is a young up-and-coming defender, who I do believe can make a massive impact for us.

"And do not forget we have Leo Gaxha. He had a great impact on our fortunes for the first part of last season. Then he was injured and missed the rest of the season.

"Leo looks to be in unbelievable shape with the work that he is now putting in. He is doing a lot of his rehab with our medical team. I may be speaking too soon.

"But I really do hope to see Leo back playing with Dundalk by February. Leo is hungry. He has the skill. But we will not rush him back. But I am hoping for a February start.

"Daryj Horgan was carrying an injury towards the end of last season. But he should be fit to go from the start of the season. He is in with us, training.

"He is not training with the whole team. He is doing his own bit. Daryl is fine. In my mind, he is back fully fit and ready to go. We are not going to take any unnecessary risks with him.

"But he is doing a lot of running. We are having no issues with him. Daryl will be fine for the start of the season in February.

"Aodh Dervin is probably one of the best characters that we have in the building. He won our player of the year award. He had a fantastic season. He is maturing as the weeks go by.

"He is our vice-captain and leads in his own way. He was never going to be leaving. He has a big part to play in what we are trying to do here at Oriel.

"Harry Groome has always had the look of being a Premier Division player. He really catches the eye. Harry is working very hard at training as well.

"He scored a great goal in the Leinster Senior Cup final in September against Pats that was befitting of a Premier Division goal. Harry is a stylish player and is one who we are all looking forward to seeing next season.

"I am on the lookout for a goalkeeper. We have Enda Minogue and Sammy Saffei. I am in discussions with one or two keepers. But it is not that goalkeeper from Manchester United that you asked me about earlier.

"Sammy Saffei is on the verge of heading north. He will be just going to get much-needed experience. Something on Sammy's move will be happening very soon.

"But yes, I of course am looking for another keeper. That's why I say I am saying we are in the market and will be talking to a few.

"The goalkeeper and the defence are the most important unit in any team. You must have a very strong defence. Looking at young Sammy and Enda, who is only 23. These lads have a great future ahead of themselves.

"Those lads will have roles to play for us as keepers this season. I have no doubt. I have no specific date when I will have an announcement on a new keeper.

"I tend not to be emotional when making decisions on having an announcement date for a new player. But I must make sure that I identify the right keeper.

"I do not have a  specified timeline for an announcement, but I  think we will have the keeper we want by the beginning of January."

Norman Garbett is coming back. He has the skill to cause teams a lot of problems. He can play on the wing. In the Leinster Senior Cup, he played as a full back.

He had a great game. He is coming back to Dundalk from New Zealand. It's his home country. Thus, he is making some commitment to the club.

"The new pitch at Oriel is a real game-changer for us. It is where we will train. It is where we will play. It will have a great knock-on effect for us.

"It is going to be a much better surface than the old pitch. Weather permitting, we are hoping to be on the pitch by the beginning of January.

"This new pitch will also reduce our injuries. It will be the best playing surface in the country. The pitch is getting there day by day.

"We have our three Leinster Senior Cup games in January. Thus, they will be good pre-season preparation games for us. We will also have the Malone Cup game against Drogheda on the last Friday in January.

"We will also be playing UCD and will have some behind-closed-doors games. The job of a manager is 24 hours seven. But it's great. None of the national media are paying any attention to us,  and that's great. As you would say, Gerry, what's new?

"We have a great backroom staff who have been a great help to me in putting everything together as part of preparation for the new season. There are a lot of people rowing in behind the club. And the structures are also very at the club now.

"I just want to wish all connected with the club, the supporters, the players, my backroom staff, the new management committee at the club and the owner a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

"Let us hope we are all together for the pre-season games as we prepare for the season ahead. It should be a great season."

It was a good morale-boosting message from the manager, wishing us all a happy Christmas. The boss has worked very hard in a short time to get things ready for the new season.

He needs a really good goalkeeper who will lead the first team from the start to the finish. In Dundalk's last season in the Premier Division, they used four separate goalkeepers.

I remember practically pleading to Jon Daly to put Peter Cherrie in. He never listened. I am not saying Peter would have kept Dundalk up.

But he would have done much better than the other four keepers used that season. Dundalk also had five different managers that season. It just turned out to be a disaster on and off the field.

It culminated in Dundalk being relegated and narrowly escaping bankruptcy. Last season, Ciaran Kilduff used Peter Cherrie when he could see there was a goalkeeping problem.

It showed great decisiveness. And the move worked. Kilduff should sign Cherrie as a keeper again in case he needs him in an emergency. Cherrie will still do a job for Dundalk at age 43. He will be a goalkeeping coach at any rate.

Dundalk also need a centre half. He must be experienced and be as close to top class as possible. Ciaran Kilduff's sides must set out to frustrate the opposition.

They also need at least one, if not two, more midfielders. One is needed in the centre of midfield. Thus, my Christmas message to the Dundalk manager is strengthen the centre of your midfield considerably.

You need a centre half and a new goalkeeper, also. If you fail to do what I am advising, then Dundalk will be in serious danger of being relegated only a year after coming back up.

Sunderland's centre half Zak Johnson is a proven top-class centre half. He is on loan with York City. He played with Dundalk two years ago on loan.

If you can get him out on loan, it would solve a lot of problems. Zak's loan spell at York City ends on 4th January.

I hope everybody out there has a very happy Christmas and a great New Year. Be very careful over the Christmas period. It can be a dangerous time. But it can also be a very happy time.

It can also be one of the loneliest times of the year. If you know anybody on their own over the holiday period, just call them and wish them season's greetings. Have a great Christmas if you can. Look after each other too.