Conor Malley catches the eye for Dundalk FC in Pre Season

Despite defeat, new Dundalk FC recruit Connor Malley caught the eye of many in last Friday night’s Jim Malone Cup match against Drogheda United at Weavers Park.

The 22-year-old Englishman, formerly of Middlesbrough and Rochdale, played the full 90 minutes against Drogheda, exhibiting some moments of brilliance that will no doubt excite Dundalk supporters for what might be to come from the attacking-midfielder.

Malley, who has signed a two-year contract with the Oriel Park club, also confidently dispatched his penalty in the shootout after the game finished scoreless, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Drogheda from winning the Malone Cup for the second year running.

Four Dundalk organisations get €500 each under Harry Taaffe Mental Health & Wellbeing Programme

Dundalk defeated on penalties in Jim Malone Cup

However, speaking to The Democrat after that disappointing loss in Drogheda, head coach Stephen O’Donnell appeared more than pleased about what he saw from Malley.

“I thought he showed more than flashes, I thought he was by miles the best player on the park, to be honest with you,” he said, when asked about Malley’s contribution on Friday.

“I thought he looked a couple of levels above. He just can take the ball. You saw his skill and that, his touch, and he’s a big-framed lad. I thought he was excellent.”

A strong travelling contingent from Dundalk would have caught a first glimpse of the club’s new right-back, Archie Davies, who recently transferred from Aldershot Town.

The 24-year-old, who’s also represented Brighton & Hove Albion and Crawley Town, also played 90 minutes on Friday after becoming O’Donnell’s fifth close-season signing.

“Archie had to travel back on Monday. He lives down south, so he had to drive up then on Wednesday and bring his car back over. He was basically travelling for the whole of Wednesday, came in yesterday, so he done well.

“I thought they all done well. I’d be quite excited by all the new acquisitions. It’s just about keeping them fit and integrating them.”

With all five of the club’s recent signings featuring in Drogheda, O’Donnell felt the experience of an away League of Ireland ground will only benefit his new arrivals.  

“It gives them a taste of it,” he said. “It’s a tough place to come. It was competitive. It felt like a proper game. I thought the new ones done well, acquitted themselves very well.

“There was talk of maybe it would be on in Oriel, but I was eager to have it on here just to give them a feel of it – away grounds, the dressing rooms, etcetera, so they’ll be well versed for it when we come back here in the league and when we go to similar sorts of venues in the league.”

Dundalk FC end their pre-season preparations with win over Wexford

EU regulations could affect future of pitch in Oriel Park

The Commentary Box: The Gerry Malone Column

With O’Donnell content at how his recruits have integrated themselves into the squad over pre-season, he now hopes they will blend well with those coming back from injury.

“I’m happy we’re getting more bodies on the training ground,” he added. “I like the profile of the players we have in.

“Obviously, with Robbie (Benson) and Darragh (Leahy) filling up the group, and hopefully Robbie McCourt and Daniel Kelly coming back in, we’ll look quite strong from a quality point of view rather than, maybe, a number point of view, but we’ll have good quality.”