No Dundalk FC return for Towell

Ciaran Kilduff has firmly dismissed the prospect of signing Richie Towell, quelling speculation that the 33-year-old midfielder might make a shock return to Dundalk FC.

Recent local reports suggested that Towell, released by Shamrock Rovers at the end of last season, had been extended an opportunity to embark on a second spell at Oriel Park.

However, manager Kilduff clarified that discussions with the player never quite progressed to an advanced stage. Instead, the club on Thursday announced that Keith Ward would be returning for a fourth spell from NIFL Premiership side Glenavon.

“It’s not going to happen now,” Kilduff confirmed to The Democrat, addressing speculation surrounding Towell’s potential return to Oriel.

“Wardy took his jersey anyway, the 17 is gone. I did speak with him, but we’ve moved on. It just wasn’t to be, but whatever Richie decides to do from here, I wish him well.

“We’ve got a great group here now at the minute that we’re delighted to be working with and hoping will do us proud in the coming weeks.”

This is the fourth occasion on which 34-year-old Ward has signed with The Lilywhites, with his initial arrival from UCD coming in 2011 under the stewardship of Ian Foster.

After spending a season with Bohemians, the Swords native then returned to Dundalk under Stephen Kenny’s guidance, serving the club during the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.

Stints at Sligo Rovers, Derry City, and a second spell with Bohs came after that, before Ward made yet another return to Oriel, this time under Stephen O’Donnell in 2022.

He played an important role that year as Dundalk finished joint-second in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and qualified for the Europa Conference League.

The attacking-midfielder left to join Shelbourne 12 months ago, but found opportunities limited with the eventual Premier Division champions before moving to Glenavon.

Also joining Dundalk ahead of the 2025 First Division season is 17-year-old midfielder Andy Paraschiv, who has been signed from Glebe North of the Leinster Senior League.

“Two lads at the opposite end of their careers,” said Kilduff following Dundalk’s 4-0 PTSB Leinster Senior Cup win over Malahide United at Oriel on Friday night. “Wardy’s delighted to be back. That’s one of the most positive things for me.

“Andy is such a talent, I think there’s so much more from him to give. He doesn’t play like a 17-year-old. He’s very tough, he’s strong in the tackle at times and I think he’s just only going to get better.

“Wardy was probably due to play tonight, only his registration didn’t come through on time. You can see the way we want to play – neat, intricate plays at times – and Wardy is capable of playing an important role in that.”

With Jamie Walker, Scott McGill and Paul Doyle all finding new clubs in Peterhead, Stenhousemuir and Drogheda United respectively, Kilduff outlined that his 2025 squad is near completion, though the signing of a new defender is expected later this week.

“At this moment, we’re nearly there I think,” he said. “There’s a couple of lads who didn’t play tonight. Wardy, for example, being one of them.

“Enda Minogue picked up a bit of an injury, stuff like that, so we have more to come back in. He got a bang on Tuesday. We didn’t risk him this week. He’ll be fine for next week.

“I’ve one more defender hopefully getting announced later in the week and that’ll be nearly us then. He was over on trial with us. I won’t give his name just yet until it’s all done, but I’m looking forward to getting him, he’ll be another option for us.”

2025 Dundalk FC Squad (as of January 19th): (1) Enda Minogue, (18) Peter Cherrie, (20) Samuel Safaei; (2) Conor O’Keeffe, (3) Sean Keogh, (4) Mayowa Animasahun, (5) Sean McHale, (12) Luke Mulligan, (15) Vinnie Leonard; (6) Aodh Dervin, (7) Daryl Horgan, (8) Harry Groome, (14) Norman Garbett, (17) Keith Ward, (23) Andy Paraschiv; (9) Dean Ebbe, (10) Leo Gaxha, (11) Gbemi Arubi, (16) Eoin Kenny.

Confirmed Departures: Ross Munro (Falkirk), Felix Goddard (Ebbsfleet United); Jamie Walker (Peterhead), Andy Boyle (Waterford), John Mountney (Bohemians), Bobby Faulkner (Doncaster Rovers – end of loan), Dan Pike (released); Koen Oostenbrink (released), Robbie Benson (released), Robbie Mahon (Loughgall), Ryan O’Kane (Shelbourne), Paul Doyle (Drogheda United), Sam Durrant (released), Scott McGill (Stenhousemuir), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers); Josh O’Connor (Crusaders).