| 2023 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() Daryl Horgan, re-signed by the club in August 2023  | ||||
| Chairman | Sean O'Connor | |||
| Head coach | Stephen O'Donnell | |||
| Stadium | Oriel Park | |||
| League of Ireland | 5th | |||
| FAI Cup | Quarter final | |||
| Leinster Senior Cup | Fourth round | |||
| UEFA Europa Conference League | Second qualifying round | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: Patrick Hoban (14) All: Patrick Hoban (15)  | |||
| Highest home attendance | 3,761 v Shamrock Rovers, 31 March 2023 | |||
| 
 | ||||
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 | 10 September 2000 | GK | 2022 | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 2 | 7 October 1998 | DF | 2023 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 43 | 0 | |
| 3 | 15 April 1998 | DF | 2020 | 20 (4) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| 4 | 7 March 1991 | DF | 2013 | 17 (1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| 5 | 3 May 2000 | DF | 2023 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | |
| 6 | 28 September 1999 | MF | 2022 | 11 (14) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 0 | |
| 7 | 21 May 1996 | MF | 2019 | 15 (12) | 8 | 2 (1) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 9 | |
| 8 | 7 May 1992 | MF | 2016 | 9 (5) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | |
| 9 | 28 July 1991 | FW | 2013 | 24 (10) | 14 | 1 (1) | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 15 | |
| 10 | 3 July 1996 | MF | 2020 | 26 (1) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 3 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| 11 | 5 January 1999 | MF | 2022 | 15 (17) | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 (3) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 39 | 8 | |
| 13 | 1 October 1983 | GK | 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 14 | 27 May 1999 | FW | 2023 | 8 (15) | 1 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 15 | 10 August 1992 | FW | 2014 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 4 | |
| 16 | 7 February 2002 | DF | 2023 | 27 (6) | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 2 | |
| 17 | 12 October 1990 | MF | 2011 | 5 (15) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 1 | |
| 18 | 6 April 1998 | DF | 2022 | 8 (5) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | |
| 19 | 10 April 1994 | DF | 2023 | 7 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 20 | 24 August 2001 | MF | 2023 | 23 (5) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 3 | |
| 21 | 10 April 1998 | MF | 2022 | 11 (14) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 3 | |
| 22 | 1 April 2000 | DF | 2023 | 10 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |
| 22 | 16 February 2002 | Winger | 2023 | 4 (6) | 2 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
| 23 | 22 February 1993 | MF | 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | 20 March 2000 | MF | 2023 | 26 (6) | 3 | 2 (1) | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 | |
| 28 | 16 August 2003 | Winger | 2021 | 17 (17) | 3 | 2 (1) | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 3 | |
| 29 | 28 February 2005 | MF | 2023 | 2 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 77 | 20 January 2001 | Winger | 2023 | 14 (5) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 5 | |
Competitions
Win Draw Loss
Premier Division
| 17 February 2023 Round 1 | Dundalk | 1–1 | U.C.D. | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | John Martin  | 
Report | Behan  | 
Attendance: 3,124 Referee: Arnold Hunter  | 
| 24 February 2023 Round 2 | Bohemians | 2–1 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Flores  McDaid  | 
Report | Johannes Yli-Kokko  | 
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  Louie Annesley Rayhaan Tulloch Daniel Kelly Conor Malley  | 
Report | Attendance: 3,487 Referee: Paul McLaughlin  | 
| 6 March 2023 Round 4 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Shelbourne | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | Rayhaan Tulloch  Andy Boyle  | 
Report | Wilson  | 
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  | 
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  | 
Report | Gaffney  Grace Kenny Burke  | 
Attendance: 3,761 Referee: Arnold Hunter  | 
| 7 April 2023 Round 8 | Dundalk | 1–2 | Sligo Rovers | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | Rayhaan Tulloch  | 
Report | Mata  Radosavljevic  | 
Attendance: 2,457 Referee: Damien McGraith  | 
| 10 April 2023 Round 9 | Cork City | 1–0 | Dundalk | Cork | 
| 17:00 | Murphy  | 
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  Johannes Yli-Kokko Wasiri Williams  | 
Report | Doherty  Kavanagh  | 
Attendance: 2,377 Referee: Rob Hennessy  | 
| 21 April 2023 Round 11 | Shelbourne | 1–1 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Farrell  Moylan  | 
Report | Rayhaan Tulloch  | 
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  Pat Hoban John Martin  | 
Report | Deegan  Rooney Draper  | 
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  Ryan O'Kane  | 
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: 759 Referee: Sean Grant  | 
| 6 May 2023 Round 14 | Sligo Rovers | 0–1 | Dundalk | Sligo | 
| 19:45 | Report | Keith Ward  | 
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  Patrick Hoban  | 
Report | Owolabi  Coleman  | 
Attendance: 2,389 Referee: Damien McGraith  | 
| 15 May 2023 Round 16 | Derry City | 3–0 | Dundalk | Derry | 
| 19:45 | McEneff  Kavanagh Duffy  | 
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  Talbot (o.g.)  | 
Report | Nowak  Coote  | 
Attendance: 2,473 Referee: Neil Doyle  | 
| 26 May 2023 Round 18 | St Patrick's Athletic | 2–1 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Doyle  Mulraney Carty  | 
Report | Rayhaan Tulloch  | 
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 4,089 Referee: Ray Matthews  | 
| 2 June 2023 Round 19 | Shamrock Rovers | 2–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Greene  Finn  | 
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  Daniel Kelly  | 
Report | Doyle  | 
Attendance: 1,762 Referee: Damien McGraith  | 
| 9 June 2023 Round 21 | Cork City | 1–2 | Dundalk | Cork | 
| 19:45 | Annesley o.g.  | 
Report | Ryan O'Kane  John Martin  | 
Stadium: Turners Cross Attendance: 3,815 Referee: Rob Hennessey  | 
| 23 June 2023 Round 22 | Drogheda United | 1–2 | Dundalk | Drogheda | 
| 19:45 | Foley  Draper  | 
Report | Patrick Hoban  | 
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  Daniel Kelly  | 
Report | Carty  | 
Attendance: 2,371 Referee: Damien McGraith  | 
| 30 June 2023 Round 24 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | Louie Annesley  Patrick Hoban  | 
Report | Attendance: 3,156 Referee: Paul McLaughlin  | 
| 7 July 2023 Round 25 | Bohemians | 3–2 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | McManus  O’Sullivan Afolabi  | 
Report | Johannes Yli-Kokko  Conor Malley  | 
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 4,328 Referee: Rob Hennessy  | 
| 6 August 2023 Round 26 | Dundalk | 1–1 | Shelbourne | Oriel Park | 
| 17:00 | John Martin  | 
Report | Wood  | 
Attendance: 2,318 Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan  | 
| 11 August 2023 Round 27 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Sligo Rovers | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | Daniel Kelly  | 
Report | Attendance: 1,947 Referee: Adriano Reale  | 
| 25 August 2023 Round 28 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Lopes  | 
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  | 
Report | Patching  Doherty  | 
Attendance: 2,861 Referee: Damien MacGraith  | 
| 22 September 2023 Round 30 | St Patrick's Athletic | 3–1 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Lonergan  Melia  | 
Report | Daniel Kelly  Robbie Benson  | 
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  Daryl Horgan Coleman (o.g.) Sam Durrant John Martin  | 
Report | Attendance: Unreported Referee: Paul McLaughlin  | 
| 29 September 2023 Round 32 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Drogheda United | Drogheda | 
| 19:45 | Paul Doyle  Daniel Kelly Patrick Hoban  | 
Report | Robinson  | 
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 2,728 Referee: Rob Hennessy  | 
| 6 October 2023 Round 33 | Shelbourne | 1–0 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin | 
| 19:45 | Jarvis  | 
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  | 
Report | Daryl Horgan  Sam Durrant  | 
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 1,753 Referee: Paul McLaughlin  | 
| 27 October 2023 Round 35 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Bohemians | Oriel Park | 
| 19:45 | Paul Doyle  Daniel Kelly  | 
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  | 
Report | Paul Doyle  Daryl Horgan Daniel Kelly Pat Hoban  | 
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 the Conference League second qualifying round[lower-alpha 7] | 
| 4 | Shelbourne | 36 | 15 | 15 | 6 | 44 | 27 | +17 | 60 | Qualification for the 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 | 
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[8]
Notes:
- ↑ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
 - ↑ signed 6 July 2023 ahead of Round 25
 - ↑ on season-long loan from HJK
 - ↑ on loan from Swansea City until Round 21
 - ↑ signed 2 August 2023 ahead of Round 26
 - ↑ on loan from West Brom until Round 24
 - ↑ 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
| 23 July 2023 First round | Dundalk | 1–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park | 
| 17:00 | Hayden Muller  Paul Doyle  | 
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  | 
Stadium: Carlisle Grounds Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy  | 
| 16 September 2023 Quarter final | Galway United | 4–0 | Dundalk | Galway | 
| 19:45 | Walsh  McCarthy Nugent Hurley  | 
Report | Stadium: Eamonn Deacy Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: David Dunne  | 
Leinster Senior Cup
| 24 March 2023 Fourth round | Dundalk | 0–4 | Shelbourne | Dundalk | 
| 19:45 |  Hayden Muller  | 
Report | Moylan  Robinson Caffrey Arubi  | 
Stadium: Oriel Park Attendance: 950 Referee: Rob Harvey  | 
UEFA Europa Conference League
First qualifying round
| Bruno's Magpies  | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report[9] | 
| Dundalk  | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report[11] | 
  | 
Dundalk won 3–1 on aggregate.
Second qualifying round
| Dundalk  | 2–2 | |
|---|---|---|
  | 
Report[15] | 
  | 
KA won 5–3 on aggregate.
Awards
Player of the Month
| Month | Player | Reference | 
|---|---|---|
| June | [16] | 
Footnotes
References
- ↑ McLaughlin, Gavin. "#GNR120 – 120 YEARS ON, THE JOURNEY CONTINUES". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
 - ↑ Landy, Barry. "Patrick Hoban hits record milestone as Dundalk beat Drogs". rte.ie. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
 - ↑ Buttner, Paul. "Patrick Hoban nets brace against UCD but Dundalk miss out on European spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
 - ↑ Rogers, James. "Rampant Galway blow Dundalk away to grab Cup semi-final spot". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
 - ↑ McLaughlin, Gavin. "DUNDALK FC 0-4 SHELBOURNE". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
 - ↑ Rogers, James. "Draw not enough for Dundalk". rte.ie. RTE. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
 - ↑ "Dundalk FC Squad 2023". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
 - 1 2 "PREMIER DIVISION". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
 - ↑ "Magpies-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
 - ↑ "Bruno's Magpies vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
 - ↑ "Dundalk-Magpies". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
 - ↑ "Dundalk vs. Bruno's Magpies" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 20 July 2023.
 - ↑ "KA-Dundalk". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
 - ↑ "KA vs. Dundalk" (JSON). Union of European Football Associations. 27 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
 - ↑ "Dundalk-KA". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
 - ↑ "Record-breaker Hoban takes monthly honour for June". rte.ie. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
 
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