PICTURES | Photos from the Dundalk and District League Awards Night

Click the 'Next >' arrow above or 'Next Story' below to go through the gallery.

Our photographer Arthur Kinahan was on hand to snap pictures from the 2025 Dundalk and District League Presentation Night that took place in Byrne's of No.10 on Hill Street on Saturday night.

Player of The Year: Seán O'Connor (Carlingford Celtic); Top Scorer: Peter Shields (Carlingford Celtic) 23 Goals.

Ollie Allen Hall Of Fame: Joe Mellon (Castle Rovers); Robbie Mullan (Greenfield United); and Brendan O'Callaghan (Pearse Celtic).

READ NEXT: Dundalk FC Supporters Trust to fund new Oriel Park pitch

Joe Mellon

In the 1960s, he played for the Quay Gaelic team, starting when he was just 10 years old. He lined out in their all-white outfit until he reached 15 years old.

In the late 1970s, he played for the Dundalk Shopping Centre in the Dundalk and District League for five seasons. Afterwards, he became involved with Shamrock Celtic and managed them for 11 years in the Schoolboys' League.

He then managed Castle Rovers between 1999 and 2004, reaching two semi-finals in the Dundalk and District league. He was made President of the club until its demise.

While all this was happening, he also managed Quay Celtic under-age team. He was also involved with the Quay Celtic committee, just like his late partner, who was on the very first committee in 1967.

The Dundalk and District league came calling for him 20 years ago, and he is still deeply involved. He was registered for 9 years.

Away from football, along with his wife Cora, they brought two boys into the world, Martin and Gerard, both excellent footballers, who followed in the boots of the great James “Nifty” Mellon, a star of Junior Football in the 1940s and 1950s.

This is the type of unsung hero who has kept the Dundalk and District League going for the last 120 years since its founding in the 1905/6 season.

Robbie Mullan

He began his playing days with Lisnawily in the Dundalk Schoolboys league, the team hailing from the Carrick Road area. After the learning curve in the schoolboys' League, he graduated to the Bank Rovers in the Dundalk and District League.

In 1969, he was signed by Brian Carroll for Greenfield United and along with Malachy Carroll, he spearheaded the attacking potential of the new outfit as they won the second division unbeaten, Greenfield's first ever trophy win.

Around this time, he helped to form St. Dominic's club, a club which still caters for young players from all parts of town. In the 1972/3 season, he progressed from the B-team to the first and made 29 appearances for the Dundalk side, scoring five goals.

Under the management of player-manager Fran Brennan, they contested a President's Cup final against Shamrock Rovers but lost out in a 3-1 defeat.

In 1973, he went to London but stopped playing football, due to the way Irish People were viewed due to the troubles in Ireland and England.

It was a sad end to what promised to be a great career for another local hero. We hope this award will make up for some of those missing years.

Brendan O'Callaghan

He began his career with St. Dominic's in 1972. He was named Dundalk Schoolboys’ player of the year in 1974, with Dundalk youths in the years 1981-1983, he won the Leinster Cup and was the leading goalscorer in the AUL League.

In the Dundalk and District League, he played in the first Jimmy Clancy Cup final for Bellurgan Rovers, scoring in the 3-1 victory over Rangers.

Ten years later, he scored for Pearse Celtic in a 2-1 victory over Shamrock Celtic. He helped Pearse to their first McConville Cup win, scoring in the 3-1 win over Mellifont in 1992.

He was a member of the Pearse Celtic team that won the double of League and McConville Cup in 1996. Another league medal was added to his haul with Pearse in 1999.

He lined out 20 times for Shelbourne under manager John Byrne in 1985, scoring five goals in his last five matches. A spell with John Murphy at Monaghan saw him score not four goals.

In 1986, Turlough O Connor brought him back to Dundalk for what proved to be a barren spell in both goals and games. He returned to Monaghan, scoring 14 goals.

Two years at Cobh yielded 20 goals, before his last call with Drogheda United between 1993 and 1995 saw him net his final League of Ireland goals. He was one of the finest strikers ever to emerge from the Dundalk minor and junior leagues.

All photos by Arthur Kinahan.