Dundalk entered the 2022 season having finished in sixth place in the league the previous season and having failed to qualify for European football for the first time since the 2012 season. They were still the League of Ireland Cup holders because, after they had won it in 2019, the competition was not held in 2020 or 2021. 2022 was Dundalk's 14th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 87th in all, and their 96th in the League of Ireland. The 100th anniversary of the club's entry to the Leinster Senior League and therefore its first match as a senior club passed on 7 October 2022.[1]
Stephen O'Donnell was the club's new head coach going into the new term, having replaced Vinny Perth in the close season.
Season summary
The league season started on 18 February 2022.[2] Dundalk moved into third position after the round 15 victory over Bohemians and remained in the top three—the automatic European qualification positions—for the remainder of the season. A run of one defeat in 15 games from round 12 to round 26 saw an unlikely title challenge develop but injuries to several key players and mixed results subsequently saw that challenge fade in the final series of matches.[3] A home victory over Bohemians in round 35 guaranteed third place and qualification for the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League.[4]
A notable milestone was reached in round five away to Shelbourne, when Patrick Hoban scored to become the first player to score 100 league goals in the club's history.[5] Another milestone was reached in round 18, when the club achieved its 1,000th league victory in the top tier of the League of Ireland with a win at home to St Patrick's Athletic. For the round 12 home fixture against Shelbourne, the team wore a specially commissioned shirt in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease charity, 'Watch Your Back'. The match-worn shirts were subsequently auctioned with all proceeds going to the charity.[6]
The club's Honorary President, Des Casey, died in August. The club renamed Oriel Park 'Casey's Field' in his honour until the end of the season because Oriel is built on land that has been leased from the Casey Family Trust since 1936.[7]
In the FAI Cup, they were defeated in the quarter-final by First Division side Waterford.[8]
The end of the season saw club captain Brian Gartland retire after 10 seasons having made 251 appearances for the club.[9]
First-Team Squad (2022)
Sources:[10][11] Note: Substitute appearances in brackets
| No. | Name | DOB | Pos. | Debut | League | FAI Cup | Others | Totals | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||||
| 1 |  Nathan Shepperd
|
10 September 2000 | GK | 2022 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2 |  Lewis Macari[b]
|
8 February 2002 | DF | 2022 | 33 (1) | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 1 |
| 3 |  Brian Gartland
|
4 November 1986 | DF | 2013 | 4 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 | Andy Boyle
|
7 March 1991 | DF | 2013 | 31 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
| 5 | Mark Connolly[c]
|
16 December 1991 | DF | 2022 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 1 |
| 5 |  Alfie Lewis[d]
|
28 September 1999 | MF | 2022 | 11 (1) | 1 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| 6 | Sam Bone
|
6 February 1998 | DF | 2022 | 23 (9) | 1 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| 7 | Daniel Kelly
|
21 May 1996 | MF | 2019 | 20 (3) | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 6 |
| 8 | Robbie Benson
|
7 May 1992 | MF | 2016 | 19 (10) | 3 | 1 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 4 |
| 9 | Patrick Hoban
|
28 July 1991 | FW | 2013 | 21 (4) | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 10 |
| 10 | Greg Sloggett
|
3 July 1996 | MF | 2020 | 30 (2) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 3 |
| 11 | John Martin
|
5 January 1999 | MF | 2022 | 10 (21) | 2 | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 |
| 14 | Peter Cherrie
|
1 October 1983 | GK | 2009 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 15 | Darragh Leahy
|
15 April 1998 | DF | 2020 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
| 16 | Steven Bradley[e]
|
17 March 2002 | MF | 2022 | 23 (9) | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 6 |
| 17 | Keith Ward
|
12 October 1990 | MF | 2011 | 10 (22) | 5 | 2 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 6 |
| 18 | Robert McCourt[f]
|
6 April 1998 | DF | 2022 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 19 | Daniel Williams[g]
|
19 April 2001 | MF | 2022 | 7 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 20 | Joe Adams
|
13 February 2001 | MF | 2022 | 20 (13) | 0 | 1 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| 21 | Paul Doyle
|
10 April 1998 | MF | 2022 | 16 (9) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 3 |
| 22 |  Runar Hauge[h]
|
1 September 2001 | MF | 2022 | 5 (4) | 2 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 2 |
| 23 | John Mountney
|
22 February 1993 | MF | 2012 | 7 (3) | 0 | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| 24 | Mayowa Animasahun[i]
|
8 August 2003 | DF | 2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Mark Hanratty[j]
|
18 July 2002 | MF | 2020 | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 28 | Ryan O'Kane
|
16 August 2003 | MF | 2021 | 10 (8) | 2 | 0 (3) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 3 |
| 29 | David McMillan
|
14 December 1988 | FW | 2015 | 9 (18) | 2 | 1 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
Competitions
Win Draw Loss
Premier Division
| 18 February 2022 Round 1 | Dundalk | 2–2 | Derry City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Steven Bradley  32'Mark Connolly 73' |
Report | Thomson 40' McGonigle 78' |
Attendance: 3,500 (est) Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 25 February 2022 Round 2 | Bohemians | 2–2 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Flores 28' Promise 44' |
Report | Patrick Hoban 30' Steven Bradley 56' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 28 February 2022 Round 3 | Dundalk | 3–0 | Finn Harps | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Steven Bradley 44', 67' Sam Bone 46' |
Report | Attendance: 2,676 Referee: John McLoughlin |
| 5 March 2022 Round 4 | Sligo Rovers | 0–0 | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: 3,257 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 12 March 2022 Round 5 | Shelbourne | 1–1 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Boyd 85' (pen.) |
Report | Patrick Hoban 70' |
Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: Derek Tomney |
| 14 March 2022 Round 6 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Attendance: 3,546 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 19 March 2022 Round 7 | Drogheda United | 1–0 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Williams 50' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Head in the Game Park Attendance: unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 1 April 2022 Round 8 | Dundalk | 2–0 | U.C.D. | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Daniel Kelly 16' Patrick Hoban 48' |
Report | Attendance: 2,053 Referee: Gavin Colfer |
| 8 April 2022 Round 9 | St Patrick's Athletic | 0–0 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: 4,322 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 15 April 2022 Round 10 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Sligo Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 34' Daniel Kelly 43' |
Report | Mata 86' |
Attendance: 2,516 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 18 April 2022 Round 11 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 19:00 | Danny Mandroiu 66' |
Report | Brian Gartland  88' |
Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 5,532 Referee: Ray Matthews |
| 22 April 2022 Round 12 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Shelbourne | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Steven Bradley 56' Daniel Kelly 64'John Martin 85' |
Report | Shane Griffin 45' Shane Farrell 80' (pen.) |
Attendance: 2,427 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 29 April 2022 Round 13 | Dundalk | 4–1 | Drogheda United | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Report |
|
Attendance: 2,832 Referee: Sean Grant |
| 6 May 2022 Round 14 | U.C.D. | 2–2 | Dundalk | Belfield, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Whelan 60', 75' (pen.) |
Report | Paul Doyle 18' Andy Boyle 45'Patrick Hoban 54' (pen.) |
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: Unreported Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 13 May 2022 Round 15 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Bohemians | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 50' Robbie Benson 71'Paul Doyle 79' |
Report | Ciaran Kelly 115' |
Attendance: 2,748 Referee: Sean Grant |
| 20 May 2022 Round 16 | Derry City | 1–2 | Dundalk | Derry |
| 19:45 | Akintunde 76' |
Report | Robbie Benson 10' Patrick Hoban 82' |
Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 23 May 2022 Round 17 | Finn Harps | 0–1 | Dundalk | Ballybofey, County Donegal |
| 20:00 | Report | Daniel Kelly 53' |
Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 27 May 2022 Round 18 | Dundalk | 1–0 | St Patrick's Athletic | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Daniel Kelly 24' |
Report | Attendance: 2,889 Referee: Ray Matthews |
| 17 June 2022 Round 19 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Shamrock Rovers | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Robbie Benson 80' |
Report | Ronan Finn 82' |
Attendance: 3,409 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 24 June 2022 Round 20 | Shelbourne | 0–0 | Dundalk | Drumcondra, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Report | Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: Unreported |
| 1 July 2022 Round 21 | Dundalk | 3–0 | U.C.D. | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | David McMillan 51' Greg Sloggett 57'Keith Ward 90' |
Report | Attendance: 2,241 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 8 July 2022 Round 22 | Drogheda United | 1–0 | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| 19:45 | Williams 1' |
Report | Stadium: Head in the Game Park Attendance: 2,158 Referee: Neil Doyle |
| 16 July 2022 Round 23 | St Patrick's Athletic | 1–1 | Dundalk | Inchicore, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Eoin Doyle 15' |
Report | Daniel Kelly 77' |
Stadium: Richmond Park Attendance: Unreported Referee: Rob Hennessey |
| 22 July 2022 Round 24 | Dundalk | 3–0 | Finn Harps | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Darragh Leahy 3' Keith Ward 6'Steven Bradley 36' |
Report | Attendance: 2,016 Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 6 August 2022 Round 25 | Dundalk | 1–1 | Derry City | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Patrick Hoban 90' |
Report | Akintunde 12' |
Attendance: 2,856 Referee: Rob Hennessy |
| 12 August 2022 Round 26 | Bohemians | 0–1 | Dundalk | Phibsborough, Dublin |
| 19:45 GMT | Levingston  }77' |
Report | Martin 45' 13' Boyle 52'Bone 68'Shepperd 84' |
Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 3,400 (est) Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 21 August 2022 Round 27 | Shamrock Rovers | 3–0 | Dundalk | Tallaght, Dublin |
| 19:00 | Greene 13' Towell 34'Gaffney 67' |
Report | Stadium: Tallaght Stadium Attendance: 5,525 Referee: Rob Harvey |
| 29 August 2022 Round 28 | Sligo Rovers | 0–3[k] | Dundalk | Sligo |
| 19:45 | Boyle o.g. 57' Liivak 83' |
Report | Darragh Leahy 23' |
Stadium: The Showgrounds Attendance: Unreported Referee: John McLoughlin |
| 2 September 2022 Round 29 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Shelbourne | Casey's Field |
| 19:45 | Report | Attendance: 2,343 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 9 September 2022 Round 30 | U.C.D. | 3–2 | Dundalk | Belfield, Dublin |
| 19:45 | Lonergan 51', 87' Duffy 79' |
Report | Keith Ward 39' Steven Bradley 57' |
Stadium: UCD Bowl Attendance: Unreported Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 30 September 2022 Round 31 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Drogheda United | Casey's Field |
| 19:45 | Runar Hauge 58' (pen.) Dane Massey o.g. 45' |
Report | Brennan 90' |
Attendance: 2,364 Referee: John McLoughlin |
| 7 October 2022 Round 32 | Dundalk | 1–2 | St Patrick's Athletic | Casey's Field |
| 19:45 | Ryan O'Kane 45' |
Report | Forrester 20' O'Reilly 90' |
Attendance: 2,889 Referee: Damien MacGraith |
| 14 October 2022 Round 33 | Finn Harps | 1–2 | Dundalk | Ballybofey, County Donegal |
| 20:00 | Jones 86' |
Report | Lewis Macari 18' Slevin o.g. 43' |
Stadium: Finn Park Attendance: 1,103 Referee: Paul McLaughlin |
| 21 October 2022 Round 34 | Dundalk | 3–3 | Sligo Rovers | Casey's Field |
| 19:45 | Alfie Lewis 38' Ryan O'Kane 54'Keith Ward 90' |
Report | Liivak 22' Keena 76'Mata 83' |
Attendance: 2,384 Referee: Damian MacGraith |
| 28 October 2022 Round 35 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Bohemians | Casey's Field |
| 19:45 IST | Mountney 22' Hauge 39'Boyle 33'Leahy 69'Shepperd 86' |
Report | Varian 89' Burt 90+2' |
Attendance: 3,017 Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 6 November 2022 Round 36 | Derry City | 0–1 | Dundalk | Derry |
| 19:00 | Sadou Diallo 20' |
Report | Keith Ward 9' Robert McCourt 20' |
Stadium: Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium Attendance: unreported Referee: Rob Hennessy |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamrock Rovers (C) | 36 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 61 | 22 | +39 | 79 | Qualification for Champions League first qualifying round |
| 2 | Derry City | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 53 | 27 | +26 | 66 | Qualification for Europa Conference League first qualifying round |
| 3 | Dundalk | 36 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 53 | 30 | +23 | 66 | |
| 4 | St Patrick's Athletic | 36 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 57 | 37 | +20 | 61 | |
| 5 | Sligo Rovers | 36 | 13 | 10 | 13 | 47 | 44 | +3 | 49 |
Source: SSE Airtricity League, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[13]
(C) Champions
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored.[13]
(C) Champions
FAI Cup
| 29 July 2022 First Round | Dundalk | 4–0 | Longford Town | Oriel Park |
| 19:45 | Greg Sloggett 59', 68' Patrick Hoban 61'Joe Adams 63' |
Report | Attendance: 1,576 Referee: Alan Patchell |
| 26 August 2022 Second Round | Wexford | 2–3 (a.e.t.) | Dundalk | Ferrycarrig Park |
| 19:45 | Lovic 55' Shortt 66' |
Report | David McMillan 38' Ryan O'Kane 73'Robbie Benson 109' (pen.) |
Attendance: Unreported Referee: Adriano Reale |
| 16 September 2022 Quarter-final | Waterford | 3–2 | Dundalk | Waterford Regional Sports Centre |
| 19:45 | Griffin 31' Power 43'Patterson 65' |
Report | Paul Doyle 11' Keith Ward 90' |
Attendance: 2,612 Referee: Neil Doyle |
Awards
Player of the Month
| Month | Player | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| February | Steven Bradley
|
[14] |
| May | Daniel Kelly
|
[15] |
| June | Mark Connolly
|
[16] |
Footnotes
- ^ The opening night fixture against Derry City was sold out and therefore had a higher attendance but an official attendance figure was not reported
- ^ on full season loan from Stoke City F.C.
- ^ loan from Dundee United F.C. ended after Round 23
- ^ signed ahead of Round 25 and assigned squad number 5 vacated by Mark Connolly
- ^ on full season loan from Hibernian F.C.
- ^ signed ahead of Round 25
- ^ loan from Swansea City A.F.C. ended after Round 18
- ^ on loan from Hibernian F.C. from Round 25
- ^ on loan to Dungannon Swifts after Round 25
- ^ released after Round 24
- ^ Sligo Rovers won the match 2–0 but the result was subsequently overturned because Sligo had fielded a suspended player[12]
References
- ^ "Soccer". Dundalk Democrat. 7 October 1922. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
- ^ "Dundalk Fixtures". extratime.com. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ Rogers, James (17 August 2022). "Dundalk's injury woes ahead of Rovers clash". The Argus. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ Rogers, James. "Dundalk beat Bohs to seal qualification for Europe". rte.ie. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
- ^ "League Report: Shelbourne 1-1 Dundalk". extratime.com. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
- ^ "MND JERSEY AUCTION". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ "ORIEL PARK TO BE RENAMED AS CASEY'S FIELD". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Waterford v Dundalk". extratime.com. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ^ McLaughlin, Gavin. "Gartland announces his retirement". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ^ "Dundalk FC Squad 2022". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "First Team". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
- ^ "FAI Statement". sseairtricityleague.ie. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ "Premier Division 2022". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- ^ "BRADLEY WINS POTM AWARD". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "KELLY NAMED PLAYER OF THE MONTH". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
- ^ "CONNOLLY NAMED PLAYER OF THE MONTH". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
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