Mayo men on the move to Dundalk FC
Bohola native John Mountney has returned to Dundalk FC, a club he served with distinction for nine seasons between 2012 and 2020, while Islandeady man Paul Doyle has also joined the Co. Louth club after helping UCD secure promotion to the Premier Division during his final year with the Students.
Mountney (28) made a total of 305 appearances – including 33 in Europe – for the Lilywhites before moving to St. Patrick’s Athletic last winter.
In his nine seasons with Dundalk, Mountney won five SSE Airtricity League Premier Division titles, three FAI Cups, three League Cups, two FAI President’s Cups, a Unite the Union Challenge Cup and a Leinster Senior Cup, making him one of the most decorated players in the club’s history.
Mountney, who played for Kiltimagh/Knock United and Ballina Town in Mayo, initially joined Dundalk from Mervue United as an 18-year-old in 2012 and has been in the town ever since.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com after finalising his return, he said: “It feels great to be back. There is a great buzz around the place and it feels good to be home. I’ve always had an emotional attachment to Dundalk.
“I’ve lived here for so long and even last year I commuted to Dublin, so there was always a thought in the back of my mind and when Stephen O’Donnell came back as head coach, I was waiting for a phone call, hoping I’d get the chance to come back.
“There is a good core of players and some big personalities signed, and they are excited by Stephen coming. They and have the bit between the teeth for next year. There is a real hunger to be successful again.”
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Paul Doyle arrives at Dundalk on the back of a very successful four-year spell with UCD which ended in promotion to the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division after their victory over Waterford in the playoff final last month.
A Westport United player in his younger days, Doyle subsequently came through the academy system at Sligo Rovers and made his League of Ireland debut against Derry City towards the end of the 2016 season. He moved to UCD ahead of the 2018 campaign and played alongside Greg Sloggett, Liam Scales, Gary O’Neill and Neil Farrugia in a side that won the SSE Airtricity First Division in 2018.
Doyle subsequently made 28 starts for UCD in the top flight in 2019 and was also named as the club’s player of the year the following season.
His final term at Belfield, which coincided with his graduation as a physiotherapist, ended in glory last month and his form over the course of the year was recognised by his peers who named him in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com after completing his move, Doyle, who will relocate to Dundalk when he arrives for pre-season training in early January, said he was hungry to make his mark at Oriel Park.
“I’m delighted to get the move over the line and I can’t wait to get going now. I had a great year, personally and collectively, with UCD and it just naturally came to an end.
“I have four years of college done and I finished up my studies so I’m ready to attack full-time football. I have over 100 games under my belt and I feel the natural progression for me now is to go into an environment that can demand more from me and will need me to raise my game and do everything properly, on and off the pitch.”
His new head coach, Stephen O'Donnell, described Doyle as a very good footballer who will give the Dundalk squad a bit of versatility.
O'Donnell added: “He was UCD captain last season, which tells you everything you need to know about his character, and our history with UCD players at this club has been very good and we’re hoping Paul adds to that.
“He can’t wait to get started and he really wants to come here and to develop and show what a good player he is, and I’m sure he will do that.”