Young midfielder Teahan finding his feet at Dundalk

Ronan Teahan has adapted swiftly to life at Dundalk FC and the demands of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, making an early impression following his off-season move from hometown club Kerry.

The 21-year-old midfielder had long been tracked by Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff, with his two-goal display against The Lilywhites in a 3-3 draw at Oriel Park in the First Division last August reinforcing that interest.

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As Teahan was under 23 at the time of the transfer, Dundalk were required to pay a compensation fee to secure his services, an outlay that is already yielding returns. He opened his Premier Division account with a headed goal in a recent 5-0 victory over Waterford.

“It was very nice to get a goal,” Teahan said. “You want to score as quickly as you can, and I’ve got one now. Hopefully, I can get more. I haven’t scored a header before, but I’ve scored a few headers in training, so it’s a bit of a start. I’m happy to score, and I want more now.”

Teahan was absent for the subsequent 1-0 victory over Sligo Rovers and Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Dalymount Park, but his contribution against Waterford — the opening goal — proved instrumental in setting Dundalk on their way to a first win of the campaign.

“We felt, especially after the Derry game and the Drogheda game, that we really should have come away with two wins from those games, but obviously we dropped points,” he said. “So, to get our first two wins was really good, and we’ve kicked on from it.”

The midfielder is expected to return for Dundalk’s next outing, away to Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Friday week. With the likelihood that Dundalk will be required to spend sustained periods without possession in many fixtures this season, Teahan has indicated a willingness to adapt his role accordingly.

“To be fair, I don’t mind playing either as an eight or a ten,” he said. “I’m easy like that because it’s pretty similar for me. Wherever the manager puts me, I don’t mind playing. He’s backed me and given me chances to play, and I’m very grateful for that. Hopefully, I can repay him.

“You have to back yourself, so I came in with the attitude that I’m here to play. I’ve started a couple of games now, and hopefully I can start many more. It is a big step up, but you get used to it pretty quickly because the training standards here are so much higher. You adjust to the level much quicker. I feel like I’m pretty used to it now.”

Before committing to full-time football with Dundalk, Teahan combined his playing career at Kerry with studies in health and leisure, making more than 100 competitive appearances across three seasons.

“It was a big decision for me, moving away from home and all that,” he said. “Kerry gave me a lot and developed me as a player, so it was a big decision. But I’m happy with the decision I made, and I’m really happy up here now.

“There was a little bit of interest from Sligo and Galway, but to be honest, I didn’t really entertain it. I always wanted to go to Dundalk. I think just the size of the club, the history, and the manager – he really convinced me from day one and made me feel welcome.”