Dundalk in the hunt to re-sign Daryl Horgan

Stephen O’Donnell has declared his interest in bringing Republic of Ireland international winger Daryl Horgan back to Dundalk FC ahead of the upcoming July transfer window.

Horgan played alongside fellow Galway native O’Donnell at Oriel Park between 2014 and 2016, scoring 27 goals in 132 games from which The Lilywhites won three consecutive SSE Airtricity League titles, an FAI Cup in 2015, on top of a League Cup triumph in 2014.

However, it was Horgan’s performances in Dundalk’s historic Europa League run in 2016 that earned him a move to the English Championship with Preston North End, as well as into the Republic of Ireland set-up, where he has scored once in 17 caps to date.

The 30-year-old also spent time in the Scottish Premiership with Hibernian, before returning to England with Wycombe Wanderers, but following their relegation to League One, spent the last six months of his contract out on loan at Stevenage in League Two.

Now effectively a free agent, he is permitted to officially sign for a new club from July 1st, and although there is expected to be offers on the table from several clubs both in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Dundalk have seemingly thrown their hat in the ring for what would have to be seen as a ‘statement’ signing from the club’s current ownership.

“We’ll see,” said head coach O’Donnell. “Obviously, I’m not going to sit here and lie and say we wouldn’t be interested in Horgs. We’ll see if it’s possible or feasible. We’re not going to say that we’re not interested. Of course we’re interested.

“To be honest, I haven’t (spoken with him). Has he been in Dundalk? I didn’t even know. Is he in England now? I haven’t spoken to him in person. I didn’t meet up with him in Dundalk, but obviously I have a good relationship with Daryl.

“I suppose in order to sort of declare interest, we’re going to have to contact him, but we’ll pursue that and we’ll see where we can get with it.”

With the club recording losses of close to €500,000 in the year 2022, a move for a player of Horgan’s stature might be seen as ambitious at best, but O’Donnell has other options in mind, should their attempts to land the former fan favourite prove unsuccessful.

“All that’s going to come into the equation,” he said. “Obviously, we’re coming to July 1st. We’re always kind of looking at players.

“It’s still a bit out, and again, the domestic market is not there because everyone’s under contract. No one’s going to give you assets. Where we are, it’s very hard for someone to go and commit to you in early June. That’s where we’re at, but we’re always looking.”

With Robbie Benson and John Mountney sidelined with long-term injuries, O’Donnell has just 19 outfield players at his disposal ahead of the second half of the season, where at least two Europa Conference League qualifiers, and a Sports Direct FAI Cup first-round home tie versus Shamrock Rovers will be added to what is a congested calendar.

When asked if there was any particular areas of the team that needed improvement, O’Donnell responded:

“Just improve in different positions, get a little injection. Weigh it up now at where we’re at, options. We’re not going to just bring in bodies. They need to sort of improve us, and that’s the tricky part, obviously.”

Dundalk’s squad could be decimated further, with loan signings Johannes Yli-Kokko and Rayhaan Tulloch both scheduled to return to HJK Helsinki and West Bromwich Albion respectively in July, but O’Donnell is hopeful of retaining both for a little while longer.

Wasiri Williams is also due to depart at the same time and will become a free agent after being released by Swansea City, which could leave Dundalk with just 16 outfield players.

“We’ve really enjoyed having them all,” stated O’Donnell.

“Again, it’s not a decision that’s going to be made over the next couple of days.

“You saw Rayhaan having the impact, Johannes started the last two games. Rayhaan having the impact tonight (against Cork City). He’s our second top scorer and most assists probably.

“Rayhaan, I would say he’s the one that the opposition teams earmark as a threat. Rayhaan’s been very good for us and we’ll see how that progresses over the next few weeks.”