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. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
First-Team Squad (2023) Sources: Note: Substitute appearances in brackets
No.NameDOBPos.DebutLeagueFAI CupEuropeLeinster CupTotalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals1 Nathan Shepperd 10 September 2000 GK 20223603040004302 7 October 1998 DF 20233503040104303 Darragh Leahy 15 April 1998 DF 202020 (4)02040003004 7 March 1991 DF 201317 (1)11040002315 3 May 2000 DF 20231421030001826 28 September 1999 MF 202211 (14)01 (1)00 (1)0102907 Daniel Kelly 21 May 1996 MF 2019 15 (12)82 (1)041003498 7 May 1992 MF 2016 9 (5)10 (1)000101619 28 July 1991 FW 201324 (10)141 (1)04100401510 Greg Sloggett 3 July 1996 MF 202026 (1)00 (2)03 (1)10033111 John Martin 5 January 1999 MF 202215 (17)6201 (3)21039813 1 October 1983 GK 2009000000101014 Cameron Elliott 27 May 1999 FW 20238 (15)10 (2)00 (2)01028115 10 August 1992 FW 201411321000013416 7 February 2002 DF 202327 (6)121101037217 12 October 1990 MF 20115 (15)100001021118 Robert McCourt 6 April 1998 DF 20228 (5)02 (1)0101018019 10 April 1994 DF 2023702 (1)00 (1)00011020 24 August 2001 MF 202323 (5)3303 (1)00035321 Paul Doyle 10 April 1998 MF 202211 (14)3101 (1)00028322 1 April 2000 DF 202310 (1)000001012022 16 February 2002 Winger 20234 (6)21 (1)0000012223 22 February 1993 MF 2012000000000027 20 March 2000 MF 202326 (6)32 (1)0400039328 Ryan O'Kane 16 August 2003 Winger 202117 (17)32 (1)03 (1)01042329 Senan Mullen 28 February 2005 MF 20232 (2)00000004077 Rayhaan Tulloch 20 January 2001 Winger 202314 (5)5000000195
Competitions
Premier Division
League table
FAI Cup
Leinster Senior Cup
UEFA Europa Conference League
First qualifying round
Dundalk won 3–1 on aggregate. Second qualifying round
KA won 5–3 on aggregate. Awards Player of the Month MonthPlayerReferenceJune Patrick Hoban
References