2023 Dundalk F.C. season

Dundalk
2023 season
Daryl Horgan, re-signed by the club in August 2023
Daryl Horgan, re-signed by the club in August 2023
ChairmanSean O'Connor
Head coachStephen O'Donnell
StadiumOriel Park
League of Ireland5th
FAI CupQuarter-final
Leinster Senior CupFourth round
UEFA Europa Conference LeagueSecond qualifying round
Top goalscorerLeague: Patrick Hoban (14)
All: Patrick Hoban (15)
Highest home attendance3,761 v Shamrock Rovers, 31 March 2023
← 2022
2024 →

Dundalk entered the 2023 season having finished in third place in the league the previous season. 2023 was Dundalk's 15th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 88th in all, and their 97th in the League of Ireland. The club celebrated the 120th anniversary of its founding in September 2023.[1] They entered the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League at the first qualifying round stage in what was their 26th European campaign.

Stephen O'Donnell was the club's head coach going into the new term, his second season in charge.

Season summary

The league season consisting of 36 matches (four series of nine matches) began on 17 February 2023. In Round 22 away to Drogheda United, Pat Hoban scored his 143rd and 144th goals for the club to take him past Joey Donnelly's record of 142 set in 1946.[2] He ended the season with 15 goals, to reach a total of 150 goals for the club. Having briefly entertained a title challenge following a home win over champions Shamrock Rovers in round 24, a poor run subsequently saw the club finish in 5th position and outside the European qualification places.[3]

In the FAI Cup, they reached the quarter-final before losing away to First Division Galway United, 4–0 in a performance described as "embarrassing" by O'Donnell.[4]

In the Leinster Senior Cup, they were initially ejected from the tournament for failing to fulfil a fourth-round tie against Shelbourne. That decision was overturned on appeal by the club but they exited the tournament anyway, losing the tie 4–0.[5]

In the Europa Conference League, Dundalk reached the second qualifying round with a 3–1 aggregate win over Bruno's Magpies but were knocked out by KA, 5–3 on aggregate. Andy Boyle took the club record for appearances in Europe, playing his 41st match in the second leg against KA.[6]

First-Team Squad (2023)

Sources:[7] Note: Substitute appearances in brackets

No. Name DOB Pos. Debut League FAI Cup Europe Leinster Cup Totals
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1 Wales Nathan Shepperd 10 September 2000 GK 2022 36 0 3 0 4 0 0 0 43 0
2 England Archie Davies 7 October 1998 DF 2023 35 0 3 0 4 0 1 0 43 0
3 Republic of Ireland Darragh Leahy 15 April 1998 DF 2020 20 (4) 0 2 0 4 0 0 0 30 0
4 Republic of Ireland Andy Boyle 7 March 1991 DF 2013 17 (1) 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 23 1
5 Gibraltar Louie Annesley 3 May 2000 DF 2023 14 2 1 0 3 0 0 0 18 2
6 England Alfie Lewis 28 September 1999 MF 2022 11 (14) 0 1 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 1 0 29 0
7 Republic of Ireland Daniel Kelly 21 May 1996 MF 2019 15 (12) 8 2 (1) 0 4 1 0 0 34 9
8 Republic of Ireland Robbie Benson 7 May 1992 MF 2016 9 (5) 1 0 (1) 0 0 0 1 0 16 1
9 Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban 28 July 1991 FW 2013 24 (10) 14 1 (1) 0 4 1 0 0 40 15
10 Republic of Ireland Greg Sloggett 3 July 1996 MF 2020 26 (1) 0 0 (2) 0 3 (1) 1 0 0 33 1
11 Republic of Ireland John Martin 5 January 1999 MF 2022 15 (17) 6 2 0 1 (3) 2 1 0 39 8
13 Scotland Peter Cherrie 1 October 1983 GK 2009 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
14 Scotland Cameron Elliott 27 May 1999 FW 2023 8 (15) 1 0 (2) 0 0 (2) 0 1 0 28 1
15 Republic of Ireland Daryl Horgan[a] 10 August 1992 FW 2014 11 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 13 4
16 England Hayden Muller 7 February 2002 DF 2023 27 (6) 1 2 1 1 0 1 0 37 2
17 Republic of Ireland Keith Ward 12 October 1990 MF 2011 5 (15) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 21 1
18 Republic of Ireland Robert McCourt 6 April 1998 DF 2022 8 (5) 0 2 (1) 0 1 0 1 0 18 0
19 Scotland Darren Brownlie[b] 10 April 1994 DF 2023 7 0 2 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 11 0
20 Finland Johannes Yli-Kokko[c] 24 August 2001 MF 2023 23 (5) 3 3 0 3 (1) 0 0 0 35 3
21 Republic of Ireland Paul Doyle 10 April 1998 MF 2022 11 (14) 3 1 0 1 (1) 0 0 0 28 3
22 England Wasiri Williams[d] 1 April 2000 DF 2023 10 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 12 0
22 England Sam Durrant[e] 16 February 2002 Winger 2023 4 (6) 2 1 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
23 Republic of Ireland John Mountney 22 February 1993 MF 2012 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
27 England Connor Malley 20 March 2000 MF 2023 26 (6) 3 2 (1) 0 4 0 0 0 39 3
28 Republic of Ireland Ryan O'Kane 16 August 2003 Winger 2021 17 (17) 3 2 (1) 0 3 (1) 0 1 0 42 3
29 Republic of Ireland Senan Mullen 28 February 2005 MF 2023 2 (2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
77 England Rayhaan Tulloch[f] 20 January 2001 Winger 2023 14 (5) 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 5

Competitions

  Win   Draw   Loss

Premier Division

Main article: 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division
17 February 2023 Round 1 Dundalk 1–1 U.C.D. Oriel Park
19:45 John Martin 34'
 Report Behan 78' Attendance: 3,124
Referee: Arnold Hunter
24 February 2023 Round 2 Bohemians 2–1 Dundalk Phibsborough, Dublin
19:45 Flores 45'
McDaid 71'		 Report Johannes Yli-Kokko 88' Stadium: Dalymount Park
Attendance: 4,443
Referee: Rob Harvey
3 March 2023 Round 3 Dundalk 5–0 St Patrick's Athletic Oriel Park
19:45 Patrick Hoban 6'
Louie Annesley 15'
Rayhaan Tulloch 51'
Daniel Kelly 53'
Conor Malley 84'		 Report Attendance: 3,487
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
6 March 2023 Round 4 Dundalk 2–1 Shelbourne Oriel Park
19:45 Rayhaan Tulloch 47'
Andy Boyle 68'		 Report Wilson 15' Attendance: 2,766
Referee: Damien MacGraith
10 March 2023 Round 5 Derry City 0–0 Dundalk Derry
19:45 Report Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Rob Hennessy
16 March 2023 Round 6 Drogheda United 0–1 Dundalk Drogheda
19:45 Report Conor Malley 65' Stadium: Weavers Park
Attendance: 2,193
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
31 March 2023 Round 7 Dundalk 0–4 Shamrock Rovers Oriel Park
19:45 Robbie Benson Red card 35' Report Gaffney 22'
Grace 37'
Kenny 71'
Burke 76'		 Attendance: 3,761
Referee: Arnold Hunter
7 April 2023 Round 8 Dundalk 1–2 Sligo Rovers Oriel Park
19:45 Rayhaan Tulloch 44' Report Mata 17'
Radosavljevic 90'		 Attendance: 2,457
Referee: Damien McGraith
10 April 2023 Round 9 Cork City 1–0 Dundalk Cork
17:00 Murphy 38' Report Stadium: Turners Cross
Attendance: 3,674
Referee: Sean Grant
16 April 2023 Round 10 Dundalk 2–2 Derry City Oriel Park
15:00 Robbie Benson 71'
Johannes Yli-Kokko 72'
Wasiri Williams Red card 86'		 Report Doherty 44'
Kavanagh 44'
 Attendance: 2,377
Referee: Rob Hennessy
21 April 2023 Round 11 Shelbourne 1–1 Dundalk Drumcondra, Dublin
19:45 Farrell Red card 9'
Moylan 55' (pen.)		 Report Rayhaan Tulloch 81' Stadium: Tolka Park
Attendance: 2,873
Referee: Damien McGraith
28 April 2023 Round 12 Dundalk 3–2 Drogheda United Drogheda
19:45 Ryan O'Kane 23'
Pat Hoban 29'
John Martin 90'		 Report Deegan Red card 50'
Rooney 54'
Draper 71'		 Stadium: Oriel Park
Attendance: 2,825
Referee: Neil Doyle
1 May 2023 Round 13 U.C.D. 0–2 Dundalk Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
17:00 Report John Martin 35'
Ryan O'Kane 90'		 Stadium: UCD Bowl
Attendance: 759
Referee: Sean Grant
6 May 2023 Round 14 Sligo Rovers 0–1 Dundalk Sligo
19:45 Report Keith Ward 85' Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 2,643
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
12 May 2023 Round 15 Dundalk 2–1 Cork City Oriel Park
19:45 Cameron Elliott 90'
Patrick Hoban 90'		 Report Owolabi 18' Honohan Red card 86'
Coleman Red card 90'		 Attendance: 2,389
Referee: Damien McGraith
15 May 2023 Round 16 Derry City 3–0 Dundalk Derry
19:45 McEneff 20'
Kavanagh 61'
Duffy 83'		 Report Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Rob Harvey
19 May 2023 Round 17 Dundalk 2–2 Bohemians Oriel Park
19:45 Patrick Hoban 3'
Talbot (o.g.) 29'		 Report Nowak 76'
Coote 87'		 Attendance: 2,473
Referee: Neil Doyle
26 May 2023 Round 18 St Patrick's Athletic 2–1 Dundalk Inchicore, Dublin
19:45 Doyle 31'
Mulraney Red card 54'
Carty 81'		 Report Rayhaan Tulloch 48' Stadium: Richmond Park
Attendance: 4,089
Referee: Ray Matthews
2 June 2023 Round 19 Shamrock Rovers 2–0 Dundalk Tallaght, Dublin
19:45 Greene 34', 61'
Finn Red card 49'		 Report Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 5,602
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
5 June 2023 Round 20 Dundalk 4–1 U.C.D. Oriel Park
19:45 Patrick Hoban 23', 53', 69'
Daniel Kelly 41'		 Report Doyle 7' Attendance: 1,762
Referee: Damien McGraith
9 June 2023 Round 21 Cork City 1–2 Dundalk Cork
19:45 Annesley o.g. 20' Report Ryan O'Kane 44'
John Martin 85'		 Stadium: Turners Cross
Attendance: 3,815
Referee: Rob Hennessey
23 June 2023 Round 22 Drogheda United 1–2 Dundalk Drogheda
19:45 Foley 9'
Draper Red card 81'		 Report Patrick Hoban 79', 81' Stadium: Weavers Park
Attendance: 2,278
Referee: Rob Harvey
26 June 2023 Round 23 Dundalk 1–1 St Patrick's Athletic Oriel Park
19:45 Rayhaan Tulloch Red card 55'
Daniel Kelly 86'		 Report Carty 31' Attendance: 2,371
Referee: Damien McGraith
30 June 2023 Round 24 Dundalk 2–0 Shamrock Rovers Oriel Park
19:45 Louie Annesley 75'
Patrick Hoban 77'		 Report Attendance: 3,156
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
7 July 2023 Round 25 Bohemians 3–2 Dundalk Phibsborough, Dublin
19:45 McManus 15'
O’Sullivan 81'
Afolabi 83'		 Report Johannes Yli-Kokko 23'
Conor Malley 38'		 Stadium: Dalymount Park
Attendance: 4,328
Referee: Rob Hennessy
6 August 2023 Round 26 Dundalk 1–1 Shelbourne Oriel Park
17:00 John Martin 39' Report Wood 83' Attendance: 2,318
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan
11 August 2023 Round 27 Dundalk 1–0 Sligo Rovers Oriel Park
19:45 Daniel Kelly 11' Report Attendance: 1,947
Referee: Adriano Reale
25 August 2023 Round 28 Shamrock Rovers 1–0 Dundalk Tallaght, Dublin
19:45 Lopes 62' Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
Attendance: 6,021
Referee: Neil Doyle
1 September 2023 Round 29 Dundalk 1–3 Derry City Oriel Park
19:45 Patrick Hoban 90' Report Patching 42', 77'
Doherty 47'
 Attendance: 2,861
Referee: Damien MacGraith
22 September 2023 Round 30 St Patrick's Athletic 3–1 Dundalk Inchicore, Dublin
19:45 Lonergan 49', 57'
Melia 97'		 Report Daniel Kelly 74'
Robbie Benson Red card 82'		 Stadium: Richmond Park
Attendance: 3,921
Referee: Damien MacGraith
25 September 2023 Round 31 Dundalk 5–0 Cork City Oriel Park
19:45 Hayden Muller 18'
Daryl Horgan 27'
Coleman (o.g.) 33'
Sam Durrant 55'
John Martin 87'		 Report Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
29 September 2023 Round 32 Dundalk 3–1 Drogheda United Drogheda
19:45 Paul Doyle 39'
Daniel Kelly 46'
Patrick Hoban 76'		 Report Robinson 25' Stadium: Oriel Park
Attendance: 2,728
Referee: Rob Hennessy
6 October 2023 Round 33 Shelbourne 1–0 Dundalk Drumcondra, Dublin
19:45 Jarvis 4' Report Stadium: Tolka Park
Attendance: 2,500 (est)
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
20 October 2023 Round 34 Sligo Rovers 0–2 Dundalk Sligo
19:45 Burton Red card 59' Report Daryl Horgan 20'
Sam Durrant 88'
 Stadium: The Showgrounds
Attendance: 1,753
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
27 October 2023 Round 35 Dundalk 2–0 Bohemians Oriel Park
19:45 Paul Doyle 78'
Daniel Kelly 90'		 Report Attendance: 3,000 (est)
Referee: Rob Hennessy
4 November 2023 Round 36 U.C.D. 1–5 Dundalk Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown
19:45 Gallagher 6' Report Paul Doyle 33'
Daryl Horgan 64'
Daniel Kelly 68'
Pat Hoban 70', 86'		 Stadium: UCD Bowl
Attendance: unreported
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

League table

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
3 St Patrick's Athletic 36 19 5 12 59 42 +17 62 Qualification for Conference League second qualifying round[g]
4 Shelbourne 36 15 15 6 44 27 +17 60 Qualification for Conference League first qualifying round
5 Dundalk 36 17 7 12 59 44 +15 58
6 Bohemians 36 16 10 10 53 40 +13 58
7 Drogheda United 36 10 11 15 40 54 −14 41
Source: SSE Airtricity League, [8]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[8]
Notes:
  1. ^ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
  2. ^ signed 6 July 2023 ahead of Round 25
  3. ^ on season-long loan from HJK
  4. ^ on loan from Swansea City until Round 21
  5. ^ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
  6. ^ on loan from West Brom until Round 24
  7. ^ The 2023 FAI Cup winners qualified for the Conference League second qualifying round. Since the cup winners (St Patrick's Athletic) qualified based on league position, the second Conference League first qualifying round spot was passed to the fourth-placed team.

FAI Cup

Main article: 2023 FAI Cup
23 July 2023 First round Dundalk 1–0 Shamrock Rovers Oriel Park
17:00 Hayden Muller 23'
Paul Doyle Red card 31'		 Report Attendance: 2,686
Referee: Rob Harvey
18 August 2023 Second round Bray Wanderers 0–1 Dundalk Bray, County Wicklow
19:45 Report Daryl Horgan 86' Stadium: Carlisle Grounds
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: Rob Hennessy
16 September 2023 Quarter final Galway United 4–0 Dundalk Galway
19:45 Walsh 8'
McCarthy 20'
Nugent 30'
Hurley 39'
 Report Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park
Attendance: Unreported
Referee: David Dunne

Leinster Senior Cup

Main article: 2022–23 Leinster Senior Cup
24 March 2023 Fourth round Dundalk 0–4 Shelbourne Dundalk
19:45  Hayden Muller Red card 5' Report Moylan 8'
Robinson 35'
Caffrey 69'
Arubi 81'		 Stadium: Oriel Park
Attendance:  950
Referee:  Rob Harvey

UEFA Europa Conference League

Main article: 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League

First qualifying round

Bruno's Magpies Gibraltar0–0Republic of Ireland Dundalk
Report[10]
Attendance: 847[9]
Dundalk Republic of Ireland3–1Gibraltar Bruno's Magpies
 Report[12]
Attendance: 2,900[11]

Dundalk won 3–1 on aggregate.

Second qualifying round

KA Iceland3–1Republic of Ireland Dundalk
 Report[14]
Attendance: 915[13]
Dundalk Republic of Ireland2–2Iceland KA
 Report[15]
Attendance: 2,900

KA won 5–3 on aggregate.

Awards

Player of the Month

Month Player Reference
June Republic of Ireland Patrick Hoban [16]

Footnotes

References

  1. ^ McLaughlin, Gavin. "#GNR120 – 120 YEARS ON, THE JOURNEY CONTINUES". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  2. ^ Landy, Barry. "Patrick Hoban hits record milestone as Dundalk beat Drogs". rte.ie. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  3. ^ Buttner, Paul. "Patrick Hoban nets brace against UCD but Dundalk miss out on European spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  4. ^ Rogers, James. "Rampant Galway blow Dundalk away to grab Cup semi-final spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  5. ^ McLaughlin, Gavin. "DUNDALK FC 0-4 SHELBOURNE". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  6. ^ Rogers, James. "Draw not enough for Dundalk". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Dundalk FC Squad 2023". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  8. ^ a b "PREMIER DIVISION". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Bruno's Magpies vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Magpies-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  11. ^ "Dundalk vs. Bruno's Magpies" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Dundalk-Magpies". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  13. ^ "KA vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  14. ^ "KA-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  15. ^ "Dundalk-KA". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Record-breaker Hoban takes monthly honour for June". rte.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2023.