Dundalk set to announce return of prominent attacking duo as reinforcements appear imminent

Robbie Benson and John Mountney are to remain part of the Dundalk FC squad for the 2023 season, with an official announcement on both expected to be made later this week.

Both players followed head coach Stephen O’Donnell from St Patrick’s Athletic to Oriel Park 12 months ago, but their contracts with the club expired at the end of the campaign.

Benson first joined Dundalk in 2016 from UCD, and over the course of four years won three SSE Airtricity League titles, an FAI Cup, two League Cups, as well as starring in a memorable run to the UEFA Europa League group stages in what was his debut season.

He then moved to St Pats, where he was the hero in the 2021 Extra.ie FAI Cup final, scoring the winning penalty in a shootout-win over Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium.

With O’Donnell, the midfielder returned to Dundalk not long after that, and was arguably the team’s standout performer throughout the first quarter of the 2022 season.

However, a recurring pelvic injury limited the 30-year-old’s contribution for the remainder, as the Athlone native played through the pain towards the end of the year.

Suggestions that Benson, who holds a master’s degree in actuarial science from his time in UCD, might even hang up his boots as a result of that injury have been dismissed, with it understood he has instead opted to put pen to paper on a fresh one-year deal at Oriel.

On the other hand, Mountney was already carrying a serious knee injury when he also returned to Dundalk from St Pats a year ago, and missed 24 league matches as a result.

The 30-year-old Bohola native, who won five SSE Airtricity Leagues and three FAI Cups throughout his first spell between 2012 and 2020, battled back admirably, though, and has played through the full 90 minutes in five of The Lilywhites’ last six league outings.

Benson and Mountney will join a list comprising of Nathan Shepperd; Andy Boyle, Alfie Lewis, Daniel Kelly, Patrick Hoban, Greg Sloggett, John Martin, Peter Cherrie, Darragh Leahy, Keith Ward, Robbie McCourt, Paul Doyle and Ryan O’Kane in the 2023 panel.

In terms of outgoings, the recent retirement of Brian Gartland saw the club legend join free agent David McMillan, as well as loan returnees Lewis Macari, Runar Hauge and Steven Bradley, who has been transfer listed by Hibernian, on the record of departures.

And it is understood Sam Bone and Joe Adams could both be added to that list in the coming weeks, with Bone pondering overseas opportunities, one of which is a possible move to the Canadian Premier League for the 24-year-old Malaysian-born defender.

Meanwhile, Adams could return to the United Kingdom, as Dundalk are not expected to activate the option of a second year on the Welsh U21 international’s current contract.

The Lilywhites are yet to make their first close-season signing, but remain hopeful of tying down a deal to bring in 19-year-old midfielder Ben McCormack from St Pats.

A move for McCormack, who was handed his debut by O’Donnell in 2020, has been stalled due to compensation that is required to be paid out to the Inchicore club.

And, following the return of Macari to Stoke City, The Lilywhites have considered the possibility of former Ipswich Town player Barry Cotter filling that void at right-back.

Cotter, who spent the second half of the 2022 season on loan at St Pats, has appeared on the PFAI’s transfer list, after his contract with Shamrock Rovers expired this month.

However, Dundalk will naturally face competition for the 24-year-old Clare native from St Pats, who could offer a permanent deal, in addition to European football next term.

Also being mooted is a potential loan swoop for Celtic forward Johnny Kenny, although interest in the ex-Sligo Rovers teenager is thought to be ambitious at the time of writing.

The 19-year-old striker arrived at Celtic Park for €150,000 back in January.

In August he went out on loan to Queens Park until the end of the Scottish season. However, it is believed that Scottish giants are open to relocating his loan move to a club in the League of Ireland.