https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/section/1234/advertise-with-us All the latest breaking local news from Dundalk and Louth County Keep up to date with the latest sports news Read the latest crime and court news from Dundalk Read all the latest Irish news and updates from around Ireland Find whats happening in and around Dundalk and Louth Enjoy our award winning photos and picture galleries taken in Dundalk and Louth Read about the latest properties available in Dundalk and Louth Enjoy our latest and up to date motoring review and news in Dundalk and Louth Dundalk and Louth Met Eireann Weather Forecast Recent death notices and obituaries from Dundalk and Louth Latest environmental and climate change news in County Louth Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter Support our mission and join our community now you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism The event will take place at ToolFix Dundalk on the Ecco Road on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th of May Battery powered garden machinery has NO maintenance - aswell as no oil This is especially important in built up areas where contractors manage large estates parks and public areas and must adhere to noise regulations the contractors are happy and management are happy ToolFix Dundalk have teamed up with one of their brands to announce a Garden Battery Power Demo for 2025 Read Next: Louth students among prize winners at SciFest@DkIT Experts from both Cramer and ToolFix will be on hand both days to chat to customers talk you through any queries or questions plus there will be live demos throughout the day where you can hop on and try out the machinery Take advantage of the unique chance to speak directly to the brand experts but also the experts in your local garden power suppliers - which will give you peace of mind for pre purchase as well as post purchase and support Cramer will be showcasing their OPTIMUS range as well as their 82V and 48V series throughout the event - PLUS there will be exclusive event offers " + $(".testo_articolo").html().replace(//g please subscribe and support local journalism Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles To continue reading this article for FREE,please kindly register and/or log in Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news Ronan Brennan with his wife Siobhan and son Kai at Breathe Sauna in Magheroarty A day in the life of a children’s residential care worker at Ashdale Care Did you know you can save up to 75% on your electricity bills with Activ8 Solar Energies Arthur's Sporting Archives | Take a trip down memory lane GALLERY: Louth advance to Leinster MFC semi-final with victory over Westmeath There’s something for everyone in Louth Life - on sale now The Spring issue of Louth's number one glossy magazine is on sale now Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie Labhaoise Ní Mhaolmóna presenting Fáinne Gael an Lae Freedom FM, the online radio station dedicated to the music of the 90s and noughties said it is thrilled to announce its launch on the DAB+ digital radio platform This expansion allows listeners in Dundalk and across county Louth to enjoy the station’s nostalgic mix of chart-toppers and rock favourites in crystal-clear digital quality Reestablished as an online station in August 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns a former pirate radio station from the 1990s Freedom FM quickly gained a dedicated following The station’s online success led to temporary licensed FM broadcasts across major Irish cities Freedom FM is set to reach Dundalk for the first time READ NEXT: North Louth Artists exhibition coming to the Basement Gallery “We’re delighted to be bringing our entertaining mix of music from the 90s and noughties to more places via the DAB+ digital radio network,” said Sean Power “I know our 33 DJs and radio presenters will get a real kick helping Generation Y relive their youth through the music of those two decades.” Freedom FM recently secured a content licence from the broadcast regulator Coimisiún na Meán which allowed it join the new DAB+ digital radio platform as part of a trail service operated by Fáilte DAB and licensed by the communications regulator COMREG The station is not just a wall-to-wall jukebox Stand out programmes include Louise Scott presenting Monstrife a show that was inspired from the madness that comes from parenting a four hour 90s and noughties music show each Sunday morning presented in Irish by Labhaoise Ní Mhaolmóna where she welcomes guests to share their memories of the era and their favourite ceol of the 90s and noughties Ambient and electronica from the 1990s and the early 2000s are catered for at the weekend whilst those interested in easing into the night with love songs from the 90s and noughties can cuddle up with Nikki or Feargal from 11pm listeners can enjoy a wonderful mix of pop music from the station’s featured decades Freedom FM will be reliving the 90s and noughties with a mixture of Pop Dance and Rock music as well as specialist music shows around the clock during it’s time on the DAB+ digital radio network The station will continue its online broadcasts too via www.freedomfm.ie and through it’s free online app available on the App Store or the Google Play Store Katrina Curran and Joan Murphy at The Old Dundalk Society Spring Lecture 2025 in The Spirit Store On Thursday night I headed for the Spirit Store for the official launch of the book Dundalk Bay Tragedy 1936 a story about the loss of life of two Dundalk pilots engaged in lighting the lights that guided the boats into Dundalk harbour James Lambe headed out on 10th February 1936 in a boat in gale force conditions and nearing the end of their work the boat was swamped and the two men were drowned Both men lived in Quay Street and left a total of 15 children without a father The book was written by Frank O’Callaghan with the help of local historians and the evening was organised by the Old Dundalk Society to help inform and promote the book and the first person I managed to get a word with was Patricia Whelan from Blackrock who is vice president of the society and she told me they host a number of lectures during the year on various local historical subjects Frank’s book was definitely on their radar and were delighted to be able to facilitate him with his launch She went on to say this is a very unusual night with 4 different speakers on stage when they normally only have just the one SoccerDrogheda Town Dragons on fire as they celebrate U12 title in North Dublin LeagueDROGHEDA Town U12 Dragons celebrated their league success on Sunday morning as they were crowned North Dublin Schoolboy League ‘C’ champions for the 2024/25 season Who passed away unexpectedly but peacefully after a short illness, Friday 2nd May 2025. Predeceased by her partner Brian Thompson. Dear daughter of Brendan and Mary (née Foster) A beloved sister of Joanna, Paul, Jonathan and Jennifer. Laura will be forever loved and deeply missed by her heartbroken family, her parents, brothers, sisters, her adored nephews, nieces and great nephews and nieces, brothers-in-law Gerry and Gavin, sisters-in-law Lisa and Beth, her dear friend Elaine Griffin, uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family relatives, neighbours and friends You may wish to leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section memorial mass or anniversary for a Loved One?You can now create a family notice on RIP.ie to remember your loved one A 36 year old man who smashed the glass in the front door of a home in the housing estate where he lived, has been given a one week sentence at Dundalk district court Dundalk was charged with criminal damage arising out of the incident on June 15th 2021 The Defence barrister said his client had drink taken and it happened following a phone call during which he said various things were said back and forth The court heard at the time Mr Dooley had no previous convictions but he is now serving a sentence imposed by Dundalk Circuit Court in February and has a release date in September and his barrister added the defendant has made good use of his time in custody READ NEXT: Louth Garda seriously injured after van rams into him during Ardee patrol 1) 0ms,border-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;transition:background-color 250ms cubic-bezier(0.4 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-1sgza6o:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-1sgza6o:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-1sgza6o.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 1) 0ms;color:#1976d2;padding:0px;min-width:0;}.css-w5p45x::-moz-focus-inner{border-style:none;}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{pointer-events:none;cursor:default;}@media print{.css-w5p45x{-webkit-print-color-adjust:exact;color-adjust:exact;}}.css-w5p45x:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;background-color:rgba(25 0.04);}@media (hover: none){.css-w5p45x:hover{background-color:transparent;}}.css-w5p45x.Mui-disabled{color:rgba(0 0.26);}PrintShareSaveThe death has occurred of Peacefully on Saturday 3rd May 2025 in the wonderful care of the Boyne Valley Ward of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital surrounded by his family Predeceased by his wife Ann (née O'Reilly) Pascal and Patrick in-infancy and his sister in-infancy Gerry will be sadly missed by his heartbroken daughters Sarah and Roseanne Barrack Street from 3.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday afternoon Removal on Wednesday morning at 10.30am (via) his late residence to St Haggardstown arriving for Funeral Mass at 11 o'clock followed by burial in adjoining Cemetery donations if desired to the Irish Dementia Cafe Network https://dementiacafe.ie Funeral Mass can be viewed by following the Church webstream link below and you may wish to leave a personal message in the condolence section Funeral Service.css-h76uj{display:inherit;margin-right:-4px;margin-left:8px;}Date Published: CondolencesDonate to CharityWould you like to mark a birthday Who passed away peacefully after a short illness, after been exceptionally cared for by the staff in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital on Thursday 1st May 2025. Predeceased by her parents Michael and Brigid, brothers Paddy, Tom, Mickey and Sean. Margaret will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband Arthur, daughters Annmarie and Rachel, sons-in-law Martin Agnew and Eugene Kelly, her beloved and adored grandchildren Mark and Ethan, brothers Jim and Gerry, sisters May McGoldrick and Briege Tiernan, brother and sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and wide circle of friends. Reposing at her home, Alphonsus Villas (A91C6P9) Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 8pm. Removal on Monday morning at 10.40am on foot to St. Joseph’s Redemptorist Church arriving for Funeral Mass at 11 o’clock, followed by burial afterwards in St. Patrick’s cemetery (A91F598). Funeral Mass can be viewed by following the Church web link below And you may wish to leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section Who passed away peacefully on Friday 2nd May 2025 in the tender care of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Cassie (née Mc Caughley), much loved father of Sharon, David and Ciarán. Joe will be forever loved and missed by his daughter, sons, daughters-in-law Brenda and Michelle, grandchildren Sorcha, Gavin, Maebh, Marie, Sinéad, Fionn, Anne and Cónan, brothers Paddy and Niall, sister Margaret Grogan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives and wonderful friends. Reposing at his residence Barleyfield (A91H526) from 6pm Friday evening and all day Saturday. Removal on Sunday afternoon at 12.40pm driving to St. Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry arriving for Funeral Mass at 1 o’clock, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery. Funeral Mass can be viewed on the Church web link below. And you may wish to leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section. Leslie Toal and Redmond O'Neill at the charity walk (in memory of Pádraig O'Neill) in aid of The Irish Heart Foundation at The Lumpers Bar It could only be described as ideal conditions for a walk across the mountain when I made my way up to the Lumpers Bar in Ballymakellett on Saturday morning for the former Louth footballers fundraising walk for the Irish Heart Foundation organised by Clan na Gael’s Seamus O’Hanlon from Tullyallen is now in its fourth running where a group of men fortunate enough to pull on the Louth Senor jersey get together to help raise money for the IHF and Saturday’s walk was to honour former county footballer Pádraig O’Neill who passed away in July of last year Cllr Shane McGuinness receiving a petition seeking something to be done about the lack of green space at Wadman Park in Haggardstown by chairman Karl Collins A Louth councillor has called on the Council to pay closer attention to the planning and implementation of green spaces when they are putting together development plans Cllr Shane McGuinness told his colleagues that Wadman Park in Haggardstown has been waiting five years for a green area and children in the estate still have nowhere to play and have presented a petition to Louth County Council demanding action the difficulty for families living in the Wadman Park housing estate without the ability for their children to use a green open space,” Cllr McGuinness said supports and discussions are going into the negative use of social media the problems with young people and mental health and depression anti social behaviour and all the trappings difficulties and challenges that young people are facing nowadays I feel that the families in this estate have been left behind “I have met with these families and children in Wadman Park in Haggardstown and when seeing them at first hand playing on the roads in front of their houses it’s like a scene from a movie in Belfast or Liverpool in deprived areas set in the 1960s where everyone played and kicked football on the streets “I often discuss the lack of green space in this chamber and the green and open space calculations we use for new housing developments “But the need for a green space within this estate is now I feel It may be that this could be the only estate in the entire county that has not been allocated a green or open space “I know it may be in the pipeline but after 5 years we have to consider this seriously when putting together our next county development plan and putting children sports clubs and amenities at the heart of our plan.” She will be sadly missed by her sorrowing son John Reposing in the Eternity Room of Quinn’s Funeral Homes entrance on Castletown Road) from 3pm-6pm on Sunday Joseph's Redemptorist Church (A91 WY98) at 1.30pm The Mass can be viewed live by following the Funeral service link below online to The Birches by following this link: https://www.idonate.ie/cause/thebirchesdundalk You are encouraged to leave a personal message and your memories of Mary in the Condolences section below. Enquiries to Quinn’s Funeral Homes on 042 9334521. Quick View Dundalk FC Home Jersey 2025 - Adult Whether you're following the Lilywhites from the terraces at Oriel Park or supporting from afar our brand-new app is your all-in-one hub for everything black and white Packed with exclusive features and behind-the-scenes content this is the essential tool for every true Dundalk supporter Never miss a beat with real-time updates from the First Team and more — all delivered straight to your phone Stay on top of every fixture and follow the team’s progress through detailed results Get to know the players wearing the famous white jersey with full squad profiles Download the Dundalk FC Official App today and stay connected with the club you love — anytime 📲 Download on the App Store 📲 Get it on Google Play Dundalk FC Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Club Policies Ground Regulations Dundalk boss Ciarán Kilduff admits his side need to up their quality in the final third after firing their first blank of the season in Friday’s 0-0 draw away to Athlone Town The draw at Lissywoolen was the Lilywhites’ third in four matches and while they managed to extend their advantage at the top of the table by a point their struggles in front of goal in recent weeks has become a concern Dundalk were held to their first goalless draw of the season on Friday night against a plucky Athlone Town side.  It’s now three draws in four games for Ciarán Kilduff’s men who failed to create too much in the way of clear-cut opportunities on a frustrating night in the midlands.  The visitors went close when Keith Ward’s excellent improvised free-kick forced Matthew Connor into a fine save after 18 minutes The returning Athlone net-minder was again called into action just before half-time to keep out Seán Keogh.  The hosts - who have only managed six goals all season - did improve in the second period with the lively Gideon Tetteh rounding Peter Cherrie only for Mayowa Animasahun to scramble clear from his goal line.  The visitors huffed and puffed for the remainder of the game Cobh’s late winner over Bray means Dundalk’s lead at the summit has been extended to four points despite the latest stalemate Second-place Bray visit Oriel Park next Friday night After last night’s action had concluded An Táin Arts Centre said they are delighted to announce a unique off-site dance performance that will take place on Market Square on May 11th at 2pm as part of the nationwide Bealtaine Festival Tracing the footsteps of the traveling dance masters of Ireland Kristyn Fontanella transits through parks and fields She arrives at a gathering of people to exchange listen and learn stories and steps of the past intimately connecting with the audience and land Kristyn will lead a dance workshop for older people from 11am to 1pm at An Táin Arts Centre and connect through the shared language of dance READ NEXT: OUT NOW! Latest edition of Louth Life is in shops across the county This is a unique opportunity for community groups working with older people to take part in a meaningful creative experience To learn more or express interest in booking this workshop contact An Táin Arts Centre Box Office at 042 9332332 Presented in association with Age & Opportunity as part of the Bealtaine Festival and co- produced by Roscommon Arts Centre with support from Backstage Theatre Longford and An Táin Arts Centre Dundalk All Ages Welcome to the performance in Market Square at 2pm Passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, 1st May 2025 surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness borne with courage and grace. Predeceased by his parents Tommy and Marie, sister Ann and niece Nadine. Beloved husband and best friend of Catherine (née Doyle), dear father of Keith, Conall and Amanda. Thomas will be forever loved and missed by his heartbroken family, his wife, sons, daughter, son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Sinéad and Saoirse, his adored grandchildren Anna, Leah, Lilly, Clara, Adam and James, brothers Ken and Eamon, sister Marian, brothers and sisters-in-law, his lifelong friend Paul Ralph, nephews, nieces, extended family relatives, neighbours and wonderful friends. Reposing at his home, Lower Point Road (A91C7F9) on Friday and Saturday 2pm to 8pm. Removal on Sunday afternoon to St. Fursey’s Church, Haggardstown (A91XH75) arriving for Funeral Mass at 4.30pm, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. HOUSE PRIVATE PLEASE ON SUNDAY BY REQUEST You may wish to leave a personal message for the family in the condolence section. Funeral Mass can be viewed by following the Church web link below. MULLENS, RODEN PLACE WILL REMAIN CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE A general view before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and Shelbourne at Oriel Park in Dundalk Photo by Shauna Clinton/SportsfileDundalk look to continue their winning streak when they take on Cobh Ramblers at Oriel Park on Friday night Match tickets for Friday night are available here Kilduff looked forward to continuing his winning streak in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division "It’s our final game in the first round of games After tonight we will have seen every team in the division We’re obviously delighted with the points tally we’ve accumulated so far we know we’re only a quarter of the way through the season “We know tonight we’re going to have a really tough game against Cobh and have huge ambitions as a club going forward and we’re gonna have our work cut out for sure I think there’s a lot to be optimistic about Long-term absentees Ethen Vaughan and Norman Garbett are unavailable for tonight’s game and Enda Mingoue remains sidelines but is expected to return in around three weeks Assistants: Brian Fenlon and Ciaran O’Reilly organisers are keen to stress that everyone is welcome even if you haven’t officially registered Since 2017, the early-morning Darkness Into Light walk has brought together thousands of people in Dundalk in a shared moment of reflection and solidarity for those impacted by suicide and mental health struggles.  “It’s grown and grown since the initial days,” explained event director councillor Sean Kelly we had huge crowds here because we were one of the only local venues This year’s walk begins at 4:15 AM on Saturday following the familiar and symbolic route from Dundalk Institute of Technology We now have a service locally and it’s important that the people of Dundalk come out to support that service “It’s good for people who do have mental health issues because it’s such a solidarity thing and for people who have lost loved ones it’s a lovely way for them to remember the people they have lost.  A significant achievement for the Dundalk committee over the past year has been the arrival of a dedicated Pieta House counselling service in town The Redeemer Resource Centre now hosts the service four days a week a milestone Kelly says the committee lobbied for tirelessly Read Next: Live music for every taste in Dundalk's Toales this week “The big issue we had here for a number of years was the fact that we had no service people were travelling from Louth to Pieta centres in Swords and elsewhere but there was actually no local service and that was one thing we as a committee here in Dundalk had been campaigning for a long time that’s now in place at the Redeemer resource centre four days a week We know from Pieta that hundreds of people have gone through the doors of that service.” For more information or to register, visit www.darknessintolight.ie and select Dundalk from the list of locations.  Let the next generation show their Lilywhites pride with the official Dundalk FC Kids Home Jersey 2025 This classic white jersey with black and red accents features: Crafted for comfort and style by Playr-fit this officially licensed jersey is perfect for young fans on match days or playing the game they love Quick View Dundalk FC Polo Shirt 2025 - Adults Club Partners Dundalk FC extended their advantage at the summit of the SSE Airtricity League First Division to four points though they were left to rue a missed opportunity after a frustrating 0-0 stalemate against Athlone Town at Lissywollen With second-placed Bray Wanderers slipping to a 2-1 defeat at the resurgent Cobh Ramblers that same evening the stage had been set for unbeaten Dundalk to tighten their grip on top spot The Lilywhites will no doubt view the result as a squandered chance to further consolidate their commanding position in the promotion race Dundalk emerged the stronger side in what proved to be a scrappy first half in Westmeath although it was Athlone who fashioned the game’s earliest opportunity — Ben Feeney glancing a header wide from a John Ross Wilson cross Dundalk assumed control for the remainder of the opening 45 minutes Sean Keogh’s well-delivered free-kick inside the box found the unmarked Vinnie Leonard Keith Ward was bundled to the ground inside the penalty area under the challenge of Wilson moments before Daryl Horgan fired a shot wide delivering a teasing cross into the area that Conor O’Keeffe headed off target one of two changes made by manager Ciaran Kilduff came close with a superbly struck free-kick from 30 yards only to be denied by a fine save from Athlone goalkeeper Matthew Connor miscued a shot wide following a clever cut-back from Dean Ebbe the 18-year-old Paraschiv displayed sharp footwork on the left flank but his low drive flashed across the face of goal Keogh twice tested Connor at his near post bringing the half to a close with Dundalk firmly in the ascendancy The Lilywhites found it difficult to sustain their attacking momentum in the second half as Athlone reorganised impressively to stifle Dundalk’s rhythm and limit their creativity it was Athlone who came closest to breaking the deadlock just before the hour mark A long kick from goalkeeper Connor set Gideon Tetteh free the forward outpacing O’Keeffe before drawing a sharp save from Peter Cherrie with Mayowa Animasahun on hand to sweep away the rebound as they struggled to carve out a single clear-cut opportunity in the closing stages the match drifted to a goalless conclusion with Dundalk left to rue a second half bereft of attacking invention Athlone Town: Matthew Connor; John Ross Wilson Kyle O’Connor; Kailin Barlow (Noe Baba HT) Daniel McKenna (Billy Gilmore 70); Adam Lennon (Kyle Robinson HT) Gideon Tetteh; Ben Feeney (Brian Torre 70) Sean Keogh; Andy Paraschiv (Eoin Kenny 63) The death has occurred of John Gribben of Afton Drive and late of St surrounded by his loving family in the exceptional care of the staff at Curam Care Home John will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his sons Justin and Paul and friends and all those fortunate enough to have known and loved him Removal will take place on Saturday afternoon 12.30pm to St Family flowers only donations if desired to the North Louth Hospice The death has occurred of Thomas Mullen of Lower Point Road Roden Place. Passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday 1st May 2025 surrounded by his loving family following a long illness borne with courage and grace. Predeceased by his parents Tommy and Marie sister Ann and niece Nadine. Beloved husband and best friend of Catherine (née Doyle) Thomas will be forever loved and missed by his heartbroken family Lower Point Road on Friday and Saturday 2pm to 8pm. Removal on Sunday afternoon to St Haggardstown arriving for Funeral Mass at 4.30pm, followed by burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery The death has occurred of Patrick (Paddy) Murtagh of Moorehall Lodge peacefully in the loving and tender care of the staff of Moorehall Lodge Predeceased by his parents Elizabeth and Bernard friends and newfound friends in Moorehall Lodge Ardee, on Friday from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm. Removal on Saturday morning at 9.30 am to St Darver arriving for Funeral Mass at 10.00 am. Burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery The death has occurred of Cormac O'Neill of Dublin peacefully and surrounded by his loving family Oisín and Ciarán in the tender care of the staff of St Desmond and Adelaide (née Boyle) and by his twin sister Anne He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sisters on Monday 5 May from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm for friends and neighbours to call Removal on Tuesday 6 May to the Church of St The significantly enhanced services are funded by the National Transport Authority as part of the Transport for Ireland (TFI) Network The National Transport Authority (NTA) and Bus Éireann have announced that they are enhancing services and timetables on the Dundalk Town Bus Service (Dundalk Bus Station to Grange Drive Muirheavna) Route 174A (Dundalk Bus Station to Fatima) and Route 174B (Dundalk Bus Station to Bay Estate) recently came into effect in April The improvements will benefit passengers in the region travelling for leisure work and education as well as those making onward connections with bus and rail connections Dundalk Bus Station to Grange Drive Muirheavna will now provide a service seven days a week operating every thirty minutes from 6.15am to 11.15pm Dundalk Bus Station to Fatima will offer new early morning and late evening services every thirty minutes from 6.12am to 11.20pm Monday to Friday and from 6.50am to 11.20pm Saturday and Sunday This route will offer a substantially increased service on a Sunday Dundalk Bus Station to Bay Estate will provide new early morning and late evening services every thirty minutes from 6.05am to 11.30pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am to 11.30pm Saturday and Sunday This route will now provide 33 services on a Sunday The Dundalk town bus service will operate fully accessible vehicles reflecting the NTA and Bus Éireann’s commitment to a fully inclusive public transport system with accessible vehicles and infrastructure “Bus Éireann is delighted to introduce these improved services in Dundalk significantly increasing transport options for passengers in the region,” said Adrian O’Loughlin “These improvements will particularly positively impact those commuting to the town centre for work These updates are the result of a strong collaboration between the NTA and Bus Éireann to enhance connectivity across the country and deliver an affordable reliable and sustainable bus service for communities throughout Ireland Read Next: Rise in EVs in Louth continues Director of Public Transport Services of the NTA Jeremy Ryan said: “The NTA is delighted to support these bus service improvements which will bring significant benefits to the local communities in Dundalk and Sunday services will make a real difference offering greater flexibility and better connectivity for work This is a fantastic step forward in making public transport more accessible and convenient for everyone in the community.” For further information on Dundalk’s Town Bus Service including updated timetables and route maps please visit: www.buseireann.ie/news/dundalk-updates Dundalk's precious 1-0 win over Cobh Ramblers on Friday night tightened their grip on the leadership of the First Division and also put a severe dent in the automatic promotion hopes of Cobh Ramblers Dundalk remain seven points clear of Bray Wanderers. But now they have a significant eleven points lead over Cobh Ramblers, who have since the start of the season been seen as Dundalk's biggest threat for the automatic promotion spot The win ended the first round of games in the First Division After 9 games Dundalk remain unbeaten and have won eight and drawn just one Dundalk now have built up a strong momentum behind them READ NEXT: Louth GAA club | Division Three round-up then they have a great chance of topping the Division at the end of the season and making a speedy return to the Premier Division But manager Ciaran Kilduff issued a warning to Dundalk fans not to get carried away as the team are bound to hit a bad patch at some stage It's how they cope with this that will show if they really can go all the way this season and win the Division One title for the third time in the club's history Sean Keogh was easily the man of the match The Republic Of Ireland under 19 player created the winning goal on 55 minutes He was strong at the back the entire night He was also magnificent in his runs down the left and the way he could get in behind the Cobh defence constantly Conor O'Keeffe at right full also starred with similar runs down the flanks Mayowa was strong in the heart of the Dundalk defence But being booked midway through the first half he was very lucky not to have got a second yellow for a couple of fouls he got away with after taking down a Cobh player in front of the referee he was very lucky the official did not appear to see the incident It was no surprise when Sean McHale replaced Mayowa at the start of the second half Leo Gaxha was given a striker's role behind and beside Dean Ebe I felt he may have been carrying an injury or he may not have been feeling 100 per cent He was still able to cause a lot of damage to the Cobh defence and at times brilliantly created a number of superb openings for his teammates It was his 150th appearance in a Dundalk jersey He linked up so well with Sean Keogh down the left flank Aodh Dervin once again was a key man in the engine room of midfield along with Harry Groome Vinny Leonard returned to the centre-half position and never put a foot wrong Eoin Kenny had a good night on the wing until he was replaced late in the game.41-year-old Peter Cherrie continues to roll back the years he made a number of significant saves that left him having his third clean sheet in a row He was able to deal perfectly with whatever Cobh fired at him He was like the Peter Cherrie of 2014 when Dundalk won their first league title under Stephen Kenny It was also his 200th appearance for Dundalk It's such a pity that those who managed Dundalk last season never used Peter as a keeper He is streaks ahead of any of the different keepers that were used when Dundalk struggled against going down and finally did The keepers that were recruited from the UK last season were not of the quality needed for the Premier Division in the League of Ireland Despite this being raised in this column regularly the powers that controlled Dundalk then just brought in successive UK keepers who were not up to standard This deprived the side of a strong spine and resulted in so many needless goals being given away Had Pat Hoban stayed and Peter Cherrie got the keepers slot I feel Dundalk would never have been relegated Friday night's game was played in front of a crowd of 1,834 people This was a fantastic attendance considering Cobh had no support with them Manager Ciaran Kilduff made three changes to the team that started against UCD last Friday week in Belfield Andy Paraschiv and Sean McHale dropped to the bench while Eoin Kenny Harry Groome was replaced by Andy Paraschiv on 71 minutes as was Dean Ebbe by  Keith Ward on 71 minutes Gbemi Arubi replaced Eoin Kenny on 83 minutes Thus the Dundalk line-out started as follows Peter Cherrie in Goals.Two Full Backs Conor O'Keeffe Sean Keogh.Two centre-halves Vinny Leonard The two strikers were Leo Gaxha and Dean Ebbe.  I thought it was a very exciting first 25 minutes in the first half Dundalk's first chance came on 6 minutes when Leo Gaxhas's cross found Eoin Kenny who headed across the face of the Cobh goal Harry Groome and Leo Gaxha had two good efforts blocked by the Cobh Defence Cobh's Luke Le Bervet went in on a heavy tackle on Conor O'Keefe The referee failed to give the Cobh midfielder even a yellow card Minutes earlier he had booked Mayowa for a nothing incident Cobh was very physical as the game went on and had four players booked Dundalk came close to scoring on 14 minutes when Aodh Dervin's corner was headed narrowly over by Vinny Leonard The closest the home side came to breaking the deadlock was three minutes later His pass across the Cobh penalty area set up Leo Gaxha The Dundalk striker's effort was bound for the net It was cleared off the Cobh line in a dramatic fashion by fullback John O'Donovan Cobh brought out the best in Cherrie on 24 minutes when Luke De Beveret fired in a dangerous shot Dundalk had a great start in the second half with Eoin Kenny having two shots blocked on the line Sean Keogh went on a darting run down the left His cross into the box caused havoc inside the penalty area with multiple players trying to get to the ball Dundalk were now dramatically in front and deservingly so Kenny came close again for Dundalk as the half wore on as did Gaxha But Cobh pushed Dundalk back into their own half for long periods of the last 20 minutes of the game Ciaran Kilduff's side never gave up running Eoin Kenny and Sean Keogh brought out the best in Paul Martin as did Leo Gaxha Dundalk could easily have won this game by two or three just as Cobh had a number of efforts that could have brought home a share of the spoils This Dundalk team are playing with an abundance of confidence and self-belief They remind me of the Galway United team that beat Dundalk in the cup 4-0 three years ago Galway went on to clinch the First Division that season Ciaran Kilduff's Black and White Army are on the march The players say the dressing room is a happy place in Oriel They are all focused on one single aim and that is to get Dundalk out of Division One The atmosphere is so positive around the team They have the self-belief to achieve their aim of winning the First Division title Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff told me after the game that he was very pleased with the win over Cobh They are a good team with very good players Their captain lifted the Division One title for Cork City last year We have not had any games in this Division so far we would have liked to have made things easy for ourselves But this is the division of the long throw-ins and frees Cork were the top scorers in the Division going into the game We are taking a lot of pride in our clean sheets There is competition for every place in that team I think in the first half we were really good You are waiting for that final breakthrough Then five minutes after half time you are left wondering are we going to get the breakthrough Then you have the old adage that they are going to throw the kitchen sink at you we were left at times with a feeling of just seeing the game out We should not have been in that situation as we could have been further ahead But we take pride in our defending and our clean sheets Peter has been great since he came in for Enda Minogue who is out injured ''Sean Keogh was excellent as he has been for a long time now He got the assist for the Gaxha goal in Belfield against UCD last Friday night But he is not just a left-back able to defend.`He is a goal-scoring threat as you can see He gets into the opposition's box so many times and poses a real threat We moved him from midfield to that position tonight We felt it would hurt the opposition and it did'' '''We are very happy with the way the first round of nine games has gone If we can repeat that over the next three rounds We could easily drop as many points in the same way as we gained them in the first round People must also remember that we are a new team Andy Paraschiv was playing in the Leinster Senior League a few months ago Now look at him and see how well he has fitted into the team He is just waiting for his next chance to get into the team ''We will go to Limerick next Friday to play Treaty Then the following Monday we play Finn Harps at Oriel Treaty are the only side to take points off us They are a real threat because they can score goals by getting two late goals to come from behind and grab a precious point We have responded with five straight wins which is great We will have three games in eight days from next Friday ''Enda Minogue is out for another three weeks He was supposed to get the pins and the screw out from his broken finger He went in last week to get the pins and the screw out I am just hoping to get Enda back as quickly as we can'' Ciaran Kilduff can be very happy with the way things have started for him at Oriel But the Dundalk boss is experienced enough to know that soccer can be a cruel game as well They can lose them through transfers to clubs in Ireland Sean Keogh is one player who is attracting much interest One social media sports writer said during the week that Sean is so good he doubted if he will be at Oriel at the end of the season The same media commentator also said that he would not be surprised if 17-year-old Vinny Leonard does not depart Oriel before the end of the season I think the two underage internationals will still be here by November But the chances are that they will be snapped up after that by the top clubs Kilduff has assembled a highly talented young squad The Dundalk manager told me a month ago that they are still a First Division team The Dundalk boss will have to assemble some really talented and experienced Premier Division players at the end of the season if Dundalk are promoted and that is a big if Ciaran Kilduff also really impresses as a manager You can see how much his team respects him players and the other Oriel staff who all hold him in the highest regard the boss reminds me of a young Stephen Kenny I interviewed Stephen when he won the cup with Longford Town and when his Bohemians side were beaten in the FAI Cup final by Martin Murray's relegated Dundalk 2002 team Martin did an unbelievable job with Dundalk in 2002 He brought Dundalk up from the First Division They were so unlucky that the FAI decided to relegate three teams in 2002 This was to reduce the Premier Division to ten teams about 14 points clear of the second-from-bottom team Dundalk still had a chance to stay up going into the last game the Dundalk dressing room was in despair in Monaghan having just been relegated Somehow Martin Murray lifted his team and they went on to beat Bohs by two goals to one in the final Bohemians were that confident that they had a big flag flying across the road outside St Peter's church in Phibsboro from the Saturday night which had the words'' Dundalk took them down a peg or two with a great win and one of the most memorable cup wins in the club's history I interviewed Stephen Kenny in the build-up to the final he was in no way expecting to have things easy in the final His leadership qualities were there for all to see The next time I got to interview Stephen was in December 2012 when he had just signed up as manager of Dundalk Now Stephen was already a successful manager I knew he beat potential and imagination to bring success to Dundalk I would say the exact same of Ciaran Kilduff He has had great success as women's manager at Athlone winning the league and the cup I believe Ciaran will have a very successful career in management When the history writers come to write about him I think success at Oriel will be heavily stamped on his CV The very sad news came through last week of the passing of yet another member of the great 1962-63 league-winning team we heard of the sad passing of the late great Leo O'Reilly Jimmy Redmond may not be as well known as some of the other famous players from that great team But his contribution to Dundalk winning only their second title was as good as anybody's He made 16 appearances in the league that season scoring an impressive 5 goals he made 19 appearances for Dundalk in that famous season He made his league debut for Dundalk on 25th November 1962 That was the opening day of the League season Jimmy was playing for Leinster Senior League side Workman's Club He really impressed against Dundalk in a Leinster Senior Cup game He went straight into the first team for the opening League game of the season against Cork Celtic He only missed two of Dundalk's league games that season on the Oriel Park side's way to the famous title Once when he missed his train from Dublin to Dundalk The second miss was because he took time out to get married in late February 1963 Jimmy began his career with Cork Hibernians who were in their first year in the League of Ireland He finished his time at Hibs with a 2-0 win over Dundalk at Oriel in 1959 Ironically he returned the favour towards the end of the 1963 season when his goal against Hibs at Oriel earned Dundalk a 2-0 win which paved the way for Dundalk to clinch the title in the last game of the season Jimmy made 73 appearances for Cork Hibs and scored 19 goals 1962-63 league-winning panel to leave Oriel at the end of the season He moved to Sligo initially the following season and then went to Drogheda who were making their senior debut in League of  Ireland Football Jimmy won one League of Ireland medal and that was with Dundalk But Jimmy did win an FAI Cup medal with Pats in 1961 He was deprived of a league medal when Drumcondra just pipped Pats for the league But Pats beat Drums in the FAI Cup final by two goals to one I never heard about Jimmy and his association with Dundalk until news came through of his passing But Dundalk fans should make sure they take note of his name now He played every bit as much a part in that great Dundalk side of the 1962-63 league-winning team as the other members of that great 14-man panel The results from the weekend's First Division games were Bray 2 Treaty 1 On Saturday night Athlone Town manager Dario Castelo departed the club by mutual consent They were tipped as the side who would compete with Dundalk for promotion along with Cobh it seems the Midlanders are going to have to have to wait for another season for that Dundalk make the long 350 kilometre round trip next Friday when they travel to Limerick to take on Treaty United at the Market's field Limerick is the third largest city in the Republic It's always had a great tradition in the senior ranks of the League of Ireland Sadly the city has seen its soccer team play mainly in the lower Division in the League of Ireland in the past twenty years It's a city that badly needs a senior soccer team I would love to see them getting promotion this season It's a beautiful city made up of really decent people Rugby is very popular in working-class areas Hurling is very popular throughout the county Thankfully Dundalk are on the right promotion road I would love to of course see Dundalk getting promotion first Treaty can get promoted the following season Have a great week and a very Happy Easter.Look after yourselves everybody.And please of course Anyone with information is asked to contact Dundalk Garda Station on 042 938 8400 the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 Gardaí are investigating the theft of a car reported to have occurred on Sunday In a statement a Garda spokesperson said:  "Gardaí received report of the theft of car that occurred on the 13th of April 2025 on the Avenue Road in Dundalk "Investigations are ongoing at this time." Former Dundalk FC player has been named as the new first-team manager of Coleraine FC The ex-Lilywhites midfielder helped the Carrick Road outfit lift the League of Ireland title during his time at Oriel Park as a player in 2014 and as assistant manager in 2019 READ MORE: Classy Louth crowned Leinster U20 Champions for the first time since 1981 Higgins returns to the Showgrounds in Coleraine where he ended his playing days in 2016. Now with Coleraine pushing for a European spot The 40-year-old has built a strong coaching career since retiring including a spell with the Republic of Ireland setup and leading Derry City to FAI Cup and President’s Cup success most memorably during Dundalk FC’s 1962-63 League of Ireland title-winning campaign Originally from Stella Maris and signed from Workman's’ Club in late 1962 Redmond impressed against Dundalk in a Leinster Senior Cup game—so much so that he was signed immediately He made his debut on 25 November 1962 in a 2-1 home win over Cork Celtic and went on to become a key figure on the right wing for the rest of the season He played in 19 league games and scored six goals missing only two fixtures—one due to a missed train and another when he took time off to get married A standout moment came in a 2-0 win over his old club where his goal helped set up Dundalk’s dramatic final-day title success Though he left the club at the end of that season Redmond’s contributions were vital to Dundalk lifting their first league title in 20 years Gardaí in Dundalk are investigating an alleged assault on a teenager at the Longwalk the Garda Press Office said “Investigations are ongoing.” Looking for the perfect way to keep the kids active and inspired over the Easter break Dundalk FC’s Easter Camp is back and better than ever — offering a fun engaging football experience for young players of all levels Skills development with Dundalk FC coaches Special guest appearances from Dundalk FC first-team players Learn from Dundalk FC’s top players and coaches so don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to train with the best in the game and make unforgettable memories at Oriel Park Stand out and support the Lilywhites with the official Dundalk FC Away Jersey 2025 This sleek black jersey with red and white accents features: this officially licensed jersey blends modern style with club tradition — perfect for match days or casual wear Inspire the next generation of Lilywhites with the official Dundalk FC Kids Away Jersey 2025 This bold black jersey with red and white accents features: Designed by Playr-fit for comfort and performance this officially licensed jersey is perfect for match days or playing like their heroes Show your pride with the official Dundalk FC Away Jersey 2025 This striking white jersey with red and black accents features: this officially licensed jersey combines style and club tradition — perfect for match days or everyday wear “FUNDING SECURED FOR NEW LOUTH GAA STADIUM DEVELOPMENT IN DUNDALK” Louth GAA are delighted to announce that a comprehensive funding package has been agreed between Louth GAA and GAA Headquarters to commence development of Phase One of our new stadium in Dundalk The new facility represents a significant milestone for GAA in County Louth and will provide a modern purpose-built venue that will serve the needs of players (men and women) and the wider community for generations to come The construction period is expected to last approximately 16 months with the stadium ready to host games with an initial capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators upon completion of Phase One We are delighted to have local Contractor in Ganson Group partnered with us on this contract Development of Phase Two will commence as funding allows which will further enhance the stadium’s capacity and facilities said: “This is a momentous day for ALL Gaelic Games in County Louth we are thrilled to secure the necessary funding to begin construction on this state-of-the-art facility We express our sincere gratitude to GAA Headquarters and all our Clubs within Louth GAA for their unwavering support in bringing this project to fruition.” “This new stadium will not only provide an excellent home for Louth county and club teams but will also serve as a hub for community activities and foster the continued growth of Gaelic Games in the region.” Further details regarding the construction timeline and additional facility features will be announced in the coming weeks and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Donation towards the new Louth GAA stadium Reposing in Dixons Funeral Home, Maxwell Row, Bridge Street, Dundalk (Eircode A91 PV07) tomorrow Friday between 5pm and 7pm. Removal will take place on Saturday afternoon 12.30pm to St. Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry arriving for Funeral Mass at 1pm, followed by burial in adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only donations if desired to the North Louth Hospice, donation box at funeral home and church. 1Club Partners Dundalk came away with another precious three points last Friday night at Belfield against UCD as a single goal from Leo Gaxha on 63 minutes was enough to give them all three points and allow them to open up a seven-point lead at the top It's Bray Wanderers who hold the second place now as Cobh's challenge is in weakening mode right now The pitch was in a dreadful state at the Belfield Bowl and ensured skilful football would go out the window not for the first time this season had to play ugly to get the three points The students were also forced to adapt to the terrible conditions READ MORE: Inside Track: When Micko failed to turn up at St. Brigid's Park They posed a serious danger to Dundalk throughout the ninety minutes It was only when the referee blew for full time that Dundalk knew they could travel home with the points The game was played in front of an attendance of 651 people 500 of them were from Dundalk This is a phenomenal support that the club garnered on an away night on the very edge of South County Dublin The totally dedicated Shed Side Army travelled in big numbers even though their bus broke down on the M1 near Drogheda they just missed about the opening 20 minutes Ciaran Kilduff made three changes to the team that beat Wexford FC so comprehensively the week before at Oriel Mayowa returned to the team for the first time in weeks He has been missing since he picked up a hamstring injury in the Finn Harps game at Ballybofey six weeks ago Keith Ward started in a forward role behind Dean Ebbe up front Harry Groome and Vinny Leonard were left on the bench Goalkeeper Enda Minogue is expected back in about three weeks The good news is that he has had the pins and screws used in surgery to repair the injury removed It's hoped he is well on the way to recovery Dundalk lined out with Cherrie in goals with O'Keefe and Keogh at full-back Mayowa and Sean McHale were the centre halves Aodh Dervin and Parashiv were the centre midfielders with Daryl Horgan and Leo Gaxha out on the wings Keith Ward and Dean Ebbe played as the strikers with Ebbe an out-and-out striker Eoin Kenny replaced Keith Ward on 59 minutes Andy Parashiv replaced Harry Groome on 60 minutes Dean Ebbe was replaced by Gbemi Arubi on 72 minutes Goal scorer Leo Gaxha was also subbed at this time for Centre half Vinny Leonard Vinny who is just 16 is reported to be on the radar of several cross-channel clubs He must be 18 before he can start playing for a club in the UK He will start his career at Tottenham Hotspur in a year's time Pat's got two and a half million for Mason I just hope that Dundalk have got some of their younger players on medium to long-term contracts Vinny Leonard is not the only young player attracting attention Sean Keogh is another player who clubs abroad are taking note of along with Andy Parashiv and 16-year-old TJ Molloy and Sean Spaight Dundalk could be in line for a financial bonanza if some of their young stars move to foreign clubs a former Dundalk hero came on as a sub for UCD on 64 minutes The man who also won so much with Shamrock Rovers was excellent He was a thorn in the side of the Dundalk defence for the remaining 25 minutes of the game He was very unlucky not to score at least twice Andy Parrashiv and Sean Mchale came close as did Sean Keogh and Aodh Dervan Adam Verdun was a serious danger to the Dundalk defence the whole night He was very unlucky not to score on at least two occasions UCD were the more dominant side in the first 25 minutes Dundalk came more into the game after that and were the better side for the rest of the first half and the opening period of the second The closest UCD came to scoring was in injury time in the second half Sean McHale was booked for giving away a needless free on the halfway line There was a terrible mix-up in the penalty area as Mayowa and Sean Mchale failed to clear The free kick was headed back across the face of the Dundalk goal A mad scramble followed as Dundalk were on the ropes Ronan Finn had a shot blocked while Adam Verdon had a header that looked bound for the top right-hand corner of the net Somehow a Dundalk Mayowa rose high to head the ball away and prevent a certain goal Peter Cherrie eventually got his hands on the ball to kill off the UCD pressure and that was it Eoin Kenny was only on as a sub when he won a corner for Dundalk The ball was cleared to my man of the match Aodh Dervin He laid the ball off very well for Harry Groome He put in a fantastic cross which was headed down by Sean Keogh Leo Gaxha fired an unstoppable shot to the net It was a magnificent goal from the Dundalk winger He scored twice against Wexford the previous week Now this golden goal in Belfield was worth its weight in any currency including the crypto But I would worry that he often failed to catch crosses This did put the Dundalk defence under some pressure at times He was still good and notched up yet another clean sheet Conor O'Keefe looked a little stale at fullback at times But that was to be expected given the length of time he has been out injured If there was a threat from UCD it often came from Conor's side of the pitch This young man's confidence continues to grow under the managership of Ciaran Kilduff he managed to get in behind the UCD defence heading the ball down for Leo Gaxha to score The Pats man who is just 18 and is on loan for the season gets better every week Mayowa while playing well at centre half looked a bit unsure when UCD crosses came in But he has been out for nearly seven weeks His game will improve greatly as he returns to full fitness Skipper Daryl Horgan looked a class above everybody else as he got down the wings at times He had a number of efforts that were close But it was his leadership of the team that once again shone above the rest Vice-captain Aodh Dervin was superb back in his usual place in the engine room at midfield he also ran the show all over the pitch The midfield was firing well enough in the engine room His instructions and motivation of players was there for all to see Andy Paraschiv is only 18 and is also attracting attention from clubs abroad This time against UCD he faded in and out of the game Dean Ebbe was quiet enough given his usually high standards But the quality and the state of the pitch would make it difficult for even the most highly skilled player to shine Of the subs used Harry Groome was excellent Cobh were beaten by three goals to one by Wexford Treaty were the biggest winners of the night Cobh will come to Oriel Park under a cloud about the future of their owner's FC32 global holdings Cobh issued a statement last Friday saying that FC32 is separate to the club Cobh Ramblers FC.FC32 took control of Cobh Ramblers last October and brought them under a multi-club umbrella Despite the Cobh statement on the matter their future remains under a cloud They signed some top-class players pre-season and were seen as Dundalk's closest rivals for the automatic promotion spot But the club has dropped points in it's its last two games The sooner the issue is resolved the better I would most definitely not rule out a Ramblers resurgence They may well might be able to stabilise their problems No doubt they will battle Dundalk and others for the automatic spot They allegedly fielded an ineligible player in their game against UCD at the start of the season There was a crazy scenario of UCD going into Friday's game in third place getting the points awarded from the Wexford game they had only won a single league game all season Wexford played Darragh Dunne against UCD who was ineligible on the opening night of the season it's emerged that Kerry have also had three points deducted for playing an ineligible player against Finn Harps Harps played an ineligible player against Kerry Dundalk boss Kieran Kilduff was a very happy man after the game with Dundalk getting the points ''UCD is always a very difficult place to come to To get all three points under huge pressure from the home team is a great achievement We have opened up a seven-point lead at the top But at this stage of the league really it means nothing I'm sorry to hear of the difficulties that Cobh might be enduring I really hope that they get that situation sorted It was great to have Mayowa and Conor O'Keeffe back in the team tonight They will get much-needed fitness built up after tonight's game He was back in his usual slot of centre midfield But in truth Aodh was playing all over the pitch Having 500 of the 650 in attendance supporting us was a huge shot in the arm for us I am well aware what it means to the people of the town seeing us get a win Enda Minogue should be getting the screw and the pins out of his broken finger soon But I would be hopeful he will be back training and ready for the first team in about three weeks' time.'' The manager paid tribute to the Shedside Army for getting to the game on hearing their bus broke down close to Drogheda'' And when they arrived they gave us an even bigger sense of inspiration to go on and win the game I do not know if the supporters really realise how much of a role they play in getting us over the line the backing we got from the crowd was a major help that got us there when we needed them'' I did not think we would have opened up a small points gap on them at this stage We need to win every game to get us our stated aim of promotion Everyone of our team panel has put in a massive amount of work to help us get to our stated aim I know how much the club means to the people of Dundalk The reaction I got from the people of the town was so positive It's a real boost to both me and the team to know how much we mean to them and them to us There is a long way to go as I keep saying Leo Gaxha was thrilled to have been part of a team that got three very precious points ''I was very happy the way I got the chance to put away the goal Aodh Dervin made the initial pass after we had got a second corner in a row Harry Groome who was only minutes on as a sub got a great lob at the ball back into the UCD box I was just lucky enough to be on the end of the ball It was the key that opened up the door for us to getting the three points We can go home tonight happy in the knowledge that we are still top I would even wonder whether it was in a safe enough condition to even have a game played on it We got the points and that was the most important point.'' ''I am really enjoying my football at Oriel There is a great team spirit among the squad and the management team And that will be with us for the rest of the season Getting three goals in the last two games is of course important for me personally But what it really means to me is that it has contributed something to us all players and the fans in our long hard battle in our promotion battle We must now move on to the game with Cobh Ramblers We must work hard this week in training to ensure that we are ready for them My time at Dundalk is going really well for me The goals may be going in for me at the moment But what's most important is that they are going in for the team Leo seemed a bit subdued given the goal he had got had been so important It was not helped by the fact that he got a knock during the game This is the youngest ever squad I have ever seen at Oriel I just hope that they can continue the momentum to get Dundalk over  the line at the end of the season.'' The Belfield Bowl was not in good condition at all last Friday It's not helped by the fact that there are regular rugby games on the pitch as well work on improving the pitch began at seven am the day after the game with Dundalk UCD will play their next four games away from home What's important is that no sport will be played on it for at least the next 6 weeks Thankfully there were no injuries picked up by either team I would question if the pitch was safe enough for the players to play on last Friday But the referee was happy enough to let the game go ahead It seems more and more certain that the club will be installing a new set of floodlights next season They will also be putting down a fully modern up to date astro turf pitch A new disability area is also to be installed This will include the correct toilets needed for a disabled person The disability area will as far as I know be located to the right of the shed on the YDC side of the ground A huge amount of work is ongoing on the planning for the new disabled area and facilities needed They will bring the club into the 21st century News that the club will be drawing down the Sports Capital programme funding for the Astro Turf pitch and the new lights is massive The club have not officially confirmed they will be able to draw down the grant It's my understanding these new developments at Oriel will be going ahead for next season the death occurred last weekend of Leo O'Reilly a former player of the famous Dundalk team that won the league title in 1962-53 and also who became the first Irish team to beat a team in a European Competition It was the team the late great Jimmy Hasty was part of Leo was the man of the match of that great team that beat FC Zurich in Switzerland He joined Dundalk at the start of the 1962-63 season He started off in a strikers role and had scored 3 goals in the opening games of that season when Jimmy Hasty arrived at Oriel From 1962 to the end of his third season 1965-66 Leo made a total of 140 appearances and scored 22 goals over that three-season period Leo saw the club go through a very turbulent period when it went into voluntary liquidation in his last season at Oriel The club became a public limited company and brought together a group of business people who modernised the club It signified the end of the club being run by a committee The club also appointed its first modern-style manager in Gerry Doyle.Leo saw a lot of change in the structure as to how the club was run The new directors at the club set up plans for a new stadium at Oriel Dundalk became the first club outside Dublin to have floodlights.'' He  said he was deeply saddened at the news of Leo's passing ''Leo won a league title with Shamrock Rovers and helped Limerick win their first title before arriving at Oriel in 1962 His claim to fame was when Timmy Lyons was injured in a Sunday game we were heading to Zurich for the European game on the Wednesday Leo could play anywhere as I said during his career at Oriel you would think that he had played there all of his life You would be able to pick him out anywhere He was also one of those players that you would call a real club man That would not matter whatever position he played in The Dublin players always had plenty to say This was Leo's third season at Oriel I think The manager Gerry Doyle had left Leo out of the side A very angry crowd had gathered outside to talk to Gerry Mickey Fox fearing for the manager's personal safety decided the best way to get him out of Oriel was to put him in the basket with the playing gear Two people managed to carry the basket with Gerry in it through the crowd to safety and he was able to get away ''The two men carrying the basket got him into a car The crowd were so angry that Leo was left out of the side And it was over leaving Leo out of the team I often got the feeling that he was so quiet that he felt overawed by some of the Dublin players And Leo had no reason to feel overawed by anybody ''I had no hesitation in naming Leo man of the match in Zurich He had never played as a centre-half before I have no idea where Joey came up with the idea of playing Leo at centre half came from It really was an historic situation seeing Leo play at centre half in Zurich for the first time But anyway it is sad that Leo is no longer with us anymore and has gone from this world Leo has gone with a brilliant reputation from the people of Dundalk It has all the makings of being a great game And please remember to be careful out there There is a packed lineup of live music in Toales again this week Thursday 1st May - Fireside Sessions presents Catherine McCrystal plus Eoin Miller at 9pm The Fireside Sessions return to Toales on Thursday May 1st for another night of unmissable live music in the venue’s signature cozy Taking centre stage this week is Catherine McCrystal a Northern Irish singer and acoustic guitarist whose rich emotive voice draws from the heart of American folk With over 15 years of experience performing at weddings and live events Catherine is now stepping confidently into the spotlight sharing a captivating blend of original songs and thoughtfully chosen covers that highlight her depth as both a performer and songwriter Kicking off the evening is the return of local favourite Eoin Miller a singer-songwriter known for his honest lyrics and soulful delivery—the perfect warm-up for a night filled with authentic and experience an unforgettable night of live acoustic music up close and personal at The Fireside Sessions Friday 2nd May – The Coathanger Solution + Fat Rabbit + Scundered and unforgettable night of punk at Toales Live Venue Headlining the night are The Coathanger Solution a five-piece punk outfit from Dublin who’ve made Toales their second home Fronted by the unstoppable Klaire McPetrie and ridiculously catchy songs that blend irreverent rock n roll with raw musical talent They're back in town with a live show that promises chaos Dundalk’s own punk trio bringing local grit and DIY attitude to the stage known for their aggressive sound and politically charged lyrics Tickets are just €10 for a stacked lineup of no-holds-barred punk rock energy The Skapones are far more than just a "2-Tone Ska tribute" band seamlessly blending the timeless ska sounds of the late '70s and early '80s with contemporary influences and deeply personal lyrics Their music offers a nostalgic journey through the golden age of ska while boldly pushing the genre into new territory with infectious rhythms Every note they play reflects their unwavering commitment to their craft and an electrifying stage presence that captivates audiences a Skapones gig is an unmissable experience Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite for €10 + booking fee Sunday 4th May – The Black Star (David Bowie Tribute) The Black Star Band’s return to Toales is not one to miss A rising Dublin-based David Bowie tribute act that guarantees a night steeped in musical nostalgia and high-octane performance With a growing reputation and a setlist packed with timeless tracks The Black Star Band’s return to Toales is not one to miss.Formed in 2023 The Black Star Band has quickly made a name for itself with a faithful yet fresh take on the music of one of rock’s most influential artists Read Next: Dundalk IT lecturer awarded major publishing contracts Their upcoming two-hour set will span the full arc of David Bowie’s legendary five-decade career featuring classics from early hits like Space Oddity to tracks from his final masterpiece The band draws particular inspiration from Bowie’s celebrated Spiders from Mars era This raw and dynamic style adds new intensity to songs such as Lazarus and I’m Afraid of Americans offering audiences a performance that is both powerful and deeply respectful of Bowie’s artistic legacy and tickets are available at Eventbrite for just €10 (+ booking fee) and €12 on the door making this an accessible night out for Bowie fans old and new Dublin is such a hub for big tech companies that you might think ‘if we come to Dublin we’re going to be competing with all of them we won't be able to get good staff’ Because we’ve got such a base of well recognised brands in Dublin that actually brings qualified people from all over Europe here Cork has become the global hub of choice for international headquarters of technology companies With over 40,000 students across Cork’s two universities NetApp’s decision to base its international headquarters in Cork provides access to a talent pool that is truly worthy of supporting the robust and evolving technology market As well as being a part of the vibrant emerging business scene in Cork NetApp’s hybrid working model means there are opportunities for technical and non-technical candidates across Ireland Leading laboratory service provider expands service offering with strategic transformation programme for staff By clicking subscribe you are confirming that you agree to our Terms and Conditions Croke Park has given clearance to Louth GAA fir a new stadium development Louth GAA has been given clearance by Croke Park to proceed with its stadium development in Dundalk The proposed development has had its controversies but a specially arranged Louth county board meeting heard that final approval had been granted and that there will be commencement in the coming weeks An unfortunate Jonas Hakkinen own goal saw Dundalk get the better of Cobh Ramblers at Oriel Park as the county Louth side preserved their seven-point lead at the top of the First Division table and create a bit of club history The return of 25 points from a possible 27 is the most any side in the Lilywhites' history have ever managed – surpassing the 23 from 27 that the teams of 1969/70 and 2015 accumulated That leaves Ciarán Kilduff’s side well placed for a potential instant return to the Premier Division next season after struggling to break down Mick McDermott’s visitors before Hakkinen turned the ball into his own net 10 minutes into the second half The home side bossed the early proceedings with Harry Groome and Leo Gaxha having early efforts blocked before John O’Donovan kept the game scoreless when he cleared off the line from Gaxha on 17 minutes after a well worked move orchestrated by Sean Keogh After Eoin Kenny forced a simple save from Timo Martin Cobh threatened for the first time on 24 minutes when Luke Le Bervet fired straight at Peter Cherrie Keogh then went close twice before the break as the sides went off scoreless at the break O’Donovan then made another big block to deny Dundalk the breakthrough within a minute of the restart when he got his body in the way of Vinnie Leonard’s shot from Keogh’s corner Keogh then had a big role to play in the breakthrough goal on 55 minutes when he drove past Nolan Evers on the right before drilling a low cross across the six yard box which crept into the net off Hakkinen The Republic of Ireland U19 international was again providing the threat 11 minutes later when his cross picked out Dean Ebbe whose downward header had to be turned behind by Martin Keith Ward and Kenny then had good attempts off target before Keogh stung the palms of Martin with a right foot shot on 78 minutes as Dundalk looked to seal the points The visitors did have a couple of late attempts to level through Barry Coffey and substitute David Bosnjak but both were dealt with easily by Cherrie Harry Groome (Andy Paraschiv 71); Eoin Kenny (Gbemi Arubi 85) Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Nolan Evers John O’Donovan (David Bosnjak 75); Cian Bargary Luka Le Bervet; Shane Griffin; Barry Coffey Bray Wanderers had a record-breaking 2-1 win at home to Treaty United Richard Ferizaj became the Wicklow side's youngest ever goal scorer then captain Kilian Cantwell produced a wonder goal Kerry FC got three over Athlone Town in an emphatic home win Luke Palmer opened scoring for Kerry with a header in Mounthawk Park A second for Palmer and Ryan Kelliher adding to the scoring for the Tralee based side put them firmly out of reach for Athlone It was all level at Ferrycarrig Park between Wexford Town and Finn Harps with two-a-piece Wexford led at the break with a Mikie Rowe touch in the 11th minute Dara McGuinness levelled things up straight after the break before Tony McNamee put the visitors ahead Calum Flynn levelled scoring again with six minutes left to play RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites In another blow for retail in Dundalk town centre local businesswoman Jean McArdle has announced that Sheba boutique on Clanbrassil Street is closing in the coming weeks The popular boutique is located in the premises where her grandmother Kitty Mulligan founded Mulligan’s draper in 1945 "But unfortunately after doing business for 80 years at 82 Clanbrassil Street Sheba will be closing her doors in the coming weeks,” she announced describing it as “such a heart wrenching and difficult decision made even tougher by the fact that it has been our family business from the very beginning.” Sheba is the latest store in Dundalk to fall victim to the move away from personal shopping to online purchases Recent closures have seen the shutters go down on Elmay’s bricks and mortar shop across the street She said that there were “no words to express how thankful we are to all our wonderful customers who have become friends loyalty and support you have given us throughout the years.” A clearly heart-broken Jean said it had been “an absolute joy and privilege to be part of our family business” and she had enjoyed bringing all the different styles and fashions to customers She urged customers who had gift vouchers to call in and use them as soon as possible before the shutters come down for the last time Bernie and all the staff who had worked with them over the years especially her neighbours in Clanbrassil St we leave with our hearts although a little torn We may be closing our doors but the memories and connections we have built will stay with us forever.” Customers expressed their disappointment that the boutique which had weathered the challenges of recessions and the COVID-19 pandemic They recalled how friendly and helpful Jean and her team were in assisting them in choosing outfits and also the part Sheba had played in helping various charities through participating in fashion shows down the years who has hosted fashion shows in aid of the North Louth Hospice write “So sorry Jean such a lovely shop .You and the girls had a great welcome for everyone Thank you so much for all your support and kindness and help with BreastcarebyAlison fashion shows.” "I am genuinely gutted to read this news Jean Every time I stepped foot in your shop it felt like visiting an old friend and you always went above and beyond for your customers Wishing you nothing but happiness and success for the next chapter You will be missed,” another customer shared "We will miss you and your lovely clothes and judging by the comments Clanbrassil Street won’t be the same for a lot of us I wish you the very best for your next adventure,” another woman wrote while another agreed that it “another sad day losing another shop in town.” The shop was thronged with customers on Thursday morning who called in to say goodbye and to avail of the opportunity to make a purchase in their favourite shop before it closes in the coming weeks The death has occurred of Gerard Cowan of Seafield Lawns Peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday 28 April 2025 He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Reposing at his home from 3pm until 8pm on Tuesday Removal on Wednesday morning to St Joseph’s Redemptorist Church arriving for Mass at 11am Burial afterwards in Darver Cemetery. All enquiries to Oisin and Rosemary Rogers The death has occurred of Joan Rice (née Carroll) of Greenore Road in the dedicated care of the staff of Carlingford Nursing Home Predeceased by her beloved husband Stephen She will be sadly missed by her sorrowing sons and daughters PJ Reposing at the residence of her son Conleth Michael’s Cemetery. Enquiries to Quinn’s Funeral Homes on 042 9334521 The death has occurred of Thomas (Tom) Kavanagh of Darndale surrounded by his loving family and in the wonderful care of staff at Beaumont Hospital Beloved husband of Mary and loving father of Suzanne Oscar Traynor Road Coolock on Wednesday afternoon 30 April from 2pm to 4pm Removal on Thursday morning to Our Lady Immaculate Church Darndale arriving for Funeral Mass at 11am followed by Cremation in Dardistown at 1pm Eoin Kenny’s 53rd-minute strike saw Dundalk bring the Jim Malone Cup back to Oriel Park for the first time in four years as they deservedly beat Drogheda United 1-0 on Friday night Predeceased by his Mam Sinéad and Dad Steven Very sadly missed by his heartbroken wife extended family and a large circle of friends House private on Saturday morning please. At the request of Aron’s family, please wear something colourful to his funeral. Please leave a personal message of sympathy for the family in the Condolences section below When parking around the Funeral Home please have consideration for residents in nearby houses. Please Note: Live links are provided by an independent streaming company. The Funeral Directors accepts no responsibility for its functionality or interruption to a live transmission https://www.dundalkfc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Season-Tickets-Club-500.png Dundalk FC CEO Peter Halpin said: “We are delighted to announce details of CLUB 500 Access alongside the sale of our 2025 Season Tickets “We once again thank you for your fabulous support throughout the 2024 season and hope that we all enjoy better and brighter days in 2025 Ciarán Kilduff’s side returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds last week and remain two points clear at the summit BUY TICKETS FOR THE MATCH! Two men arrested in connection with a major drugs seizure in County Louth overnight as part of an investigation targeting alleged drug distribution and organised crime have appeared before a special sitting of Dundalk District Court 46 year old Lee McBride of Kiltole,  Convoy Lifford Co Donegal is charged with the unlawful possession of cocaine and allegedly having it for sale or supply at Drogheda Garda Station After hearing the defendant made no reply when the charges were put to him after caution this afternoon and he was consenting to a remand in custody Judge Stephanie Coggans adjourned his case to Dundalk district court next Tuesday who can't be named due to reporting restrictions also appeared before the court charged with the same two offences in relation to alleged cannabis at a separate location in Louth on today's date Following a contested hearing he was refused bail and was remanded in custody to appear by videolink before Dundalk district court next Tuesday A comprehensive funding package has been agreed between Louth GAA and Croke Park to start the first phase of development on the county's new stadium in Dundalk The package was announced at a county board meeting on Monday night and represents a significant breakthrough for Louth in their pursuit of a modern with the stadium to host games with an initial capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators upon completion of phase one RTÉ Sport understands that the first phase will cost up to €24m Louth GAA’s share of the cost is in the region of €5m with €1.5m coming directly from clubs via an agreed levy and the remaining €3.5m coming from fundraising In 2023 Croke Park ordered Louth to pause their plans for a 14,000-capacity stadium pending a reassessment A county spokesperson confirmed to RTÉ Sport that funding has been secured from several sources "Government funding for the stadium has already been secured In addition we have several other revenue streams We have several funding avenues and these are all vital in ensuring that we build the stadium the Government and fundraising initiatives." Phase one will include the development of a south seated stand (4,080 seats); a full-size playing pitch with a state of the art floodlighting system; while east and west standing sections will be incorporated behind both goals with car parking and an auxiliary building provided for essential facilities Development of phase two will subsequently commence as funding allows which will further enhance the stadium’s capacity and facilities "This is a momentous day for all Gaelic games in County Louth," said Séan McClean We express our sincere gratitude to GAA Headquarters and all our clubs within Louth GAA for their unwavering support in bringing this project to fruition "This new stadium will not only provide an excellent home for Louth county and club teams but will also serve as a hub for community activities and foster the continued growth of Gaelic games in the region." The development comes at a time when Louth's senior Under-20s and minor footballers are all thriving in their respective championships Councillors in Dundalk have been told that 52 housing estates are on the local authority's master schedule for the taking in charge of housing estates in the area Louth County Council's Director of Strategic Economic Development Thomas McEvoy outlined at the Municipal District's monthly meeting how there are three categories - estates where a bond is available to bring services up to standard those where a bond has been lodged but the developer no longer exists and thirdly where there is no bond or developer available He added that nine more sites have been identified for the list awaiting "Taking In Charge" after additional funds became available due to refunds from Uisce Éireann for work carried out on water services The meeting heard that a phased approach is being adopted and the local authority will give priority to estates with the most houses to "get more bang for buck" Green Party Marianne Butler has expressed her frustration at the rate of progress being made: I think the Dundalk MD - Municipal District area has more estates that need to be taken in charge than the combined Drogheda and Ardee ones.  It's great that we're starting to climb that hill and that nine housing estates are going to be looked on this year but it's something that we need to constantly be working on because it's not fair on the people living in those areas that they're living in sometimes dangerous conditions with footpaths roads that you know are an absolute mess to be quite honest.