Dundalk entered the 2024 season having finished in fifth place in the league the previous season, which meant that they did not qualify for European competition in 2024–25. Stephen O'Donnell was the club's head coach going into the new term, his third season in charge.
During the close season, US-based businessman Brian Ainscough took ownership of the club from Andy Connolly and STATSports duo Seán O'Connor and Alan Clarke. Record goalscorer Pat Hoban was sold to Derry City ahead of the new season, having scored a total of 150 goals over eight seasons.
2024 was Dundalk's 16th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 89th in all, and their 98th in the League of Ireland.
Season summary The season began with the Leinster Senior Cup and they were knocked out in the Quarter finals by St. Mochta's of the Leinster Senior League.
The league season consisting of 36 matches (four series of nine matches) began on 16 February 2024. A poor start to the league programme, which saw Dundalk at the foot of the table with no wins after eight matches, resulted in O'Donnell being let go. He was replaced on an interim basis by the club's Head of Football operations, Brian Gartland, and first team coach, Liam Burns.
Noel King, a former player of the club, was subsequently named manager on 20 April. His tenure lasted 25 days before he resigned, citing medical issues. By this point, Gartland had also been let go, ending his 11-year association with the club. Liam Burns resumed the interim manager role before Jon Daly was subsequently appointed as the club's new manager.
The club briefly saw an improvement in form. However, after several defeats and with seven games left to play, Daly confirmed rumours that players and staff at the club had not been paid. It was subsequently revealed that the club had amassed debts in excess of €1 million and was in immediate danger of insolvency. The club was subsequently rescued by a Dundalk-based barrister, John Temple. But they were relegated with two games remaining following a string of defeats, with Daly also confirming that he would leave the club after the final match.
During the season, a new club record was set of eight home league matches in a row without conceding a goal. TJ Molloy-Murray became the club's youngest first-team player at 15 years and 7 months in the final league match of the season.
In the FAI Cup, they went out in the first round to Drogheda United.
First-Team Squad (2024) Sources: Note: Substitute appearances in brackets
No.NameDOBPos.DebutLeagueFAI CupLeinster CupTotalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1 1 April 2000 GK 202419 (1)000202202 7 October 1998 DF 202322000212413 Jamie Walker 21 February 2001 DF 2024300020504 7 March 1991 DF 2013260001 (1)02805 3 May 2000 DF 20233 (2)00010606 26 January 2000 MF 20249 (5)0001 (1)01607 10 August 1992 FW 201434 (2)4102 (1)04048 7 May 1992 MF 2016 28 (2)410203349 2 July 1999 FW 202424 (7)6100032610 Robbie Mahon 6 June 2003 FW 20247 (12)0003022011 Ryan O'Kane 16 August 2003 Winger 202114 (19)3102136412 22 April 2001 GK 20249000009013 Zak Johnson 30 July 2004 DF 202417 (1)0000018014 Cameron Elliott 27 May 1999 FW 20237 (10)00 (1)02020015 Mayowa Animasahun 8 August 2003 DF 202116 (3)0101021016 7 February 2002 DF 202310 (6)0002 (1)119116 Felix Goddard 9 March 2004 GK 20246010007017 Dara Keane 24 December 1998 MF 20241 (12)0000013018 15 February 2001 MF 2024141000014118 16 June 2004 FW 20240 (1)000001019 Vincent Leonard 21 March 2008 MF 20240 (1)000102020 Luke Mulligan 13 November 2007 MF 20240 (2)0000 (2)04021 Paul Doyle 10 April 1998 MF 202215 (4)0003022022 16 February 2002 Winger 20236 (12)0000018022 TJ Molloy-Murray 4 April 2009 FW 20240 (1)000001023 22 February 1993 MF 201224 (4)2100032224 Eoin Kenny 30 December 2005 FW 20249 (16)20 (1)02 (2)130325 Sean Molloy 23 February 2005 GK 20242000103026 Sean Keogh 15 April 2006 DF 202410 (1)0101013027 27 January 2002 MF 20242 (7)0100010028 5 August 2004 DF 20243 (1)011005129 30 December 2003 FW 20242 (3)000005030 Zak Bradshaw 22 September 2003 DF 202417 (1)0001019036 9 January 2002 DF 20248 (1)00 (1)00010037 Norman Garbett 27 February 2004 MF 20240 (6)00 (1)0007038 1 October 2003 DF 20249000009039 Aodh Dervin 21 July 1999 MF 20241200 (1)00013040 Jad Hakiki 23 June 2004 MF 20248 (4)11000131
Competitions
Premier Division
League table
FAI Cup
Leinster Senior Cup
Fourth Round Group A TeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsDrogheda United330094+59Dundalk311143+14Bohemians311123-14Malahide300338-50
Matchday 1
Matchday 2
Matchday 3
Quarter Final
References