Dundalk FC are delighted to announce that versatile young midfielder Luke Mulligan has signed a contract to keep him at Oriel Park for 2025, becoming the 14th player in Ciarán Kilduff’s squad for the new season.
The Latton man joined the club in 2021 and this year made his senior debut in the League of Ireland when coming off the bench in the Louth Derby at Oriel in July, with his second league appearance also coming against Drogheda United on the final day of the season.
Mulligan, who has captained Ireland at underage level, has been praised by Dundalk’s management team for his leadership skills, despite only turning 17 last month, and he could have a big part to play in the Lilywhites’ promotion push next year.
The Monaghan man, who previously played with Dromore, Cootehill Harps and Cavan-Monaghan, signed his first professional contract with Dundalk 12 months ago.
Last January, he became the club’s youngest-ever debutant when coming on against Malahide United in the Leinster Senior Cup at Gannon Park, although he now sits only third on that list behind TJ Molloy and Vinnie Leonard.
The fifth year student at Ballybay Community College gave up his beloved Gaelic Football – which his family is steeped in – to concentrate on the beautiful game, which he says he has always been more committed to, and he is happy he made that choice.
Mulligan’s dedication to Dundalk has been rewarded with this new contract, and he is excited by the challenge of trying to help the 14-time League Champions back to the Premier Division at the first attempt.
“I’m delighted. As soon as last season ended, it was always in the back of my mind that I definitely want to stay here for another year,” Mulligan told dundalkfc.com, after committing his future to the club.
“Obviously, all the stuff going on off the pitch was a wee bit worrying but I had a good feeling that everything would be alright. I’m delighted that the club is still doing what it should be doing, it’s still here every Friday night for games, for all the supporters.
“I’m happy to stay here, I’m delighted. There’s nowhere I’d rather be.”
On the rollercoaster year that was 2024, Luke added: “It was good for learning curves. It was a year that was full of everything, different managers, stuff off the pitch, new players coming in, players leaving.
“It was a good year for me. I was delighted to make my debut – that would have been a goal set out when I did sign the contract last year.”
Mulligan was also full of praise for Kilduff, who took charge of the first team last month.
“I’m loving it,” Luke said, asked how he had found the new manager and the conversations with him so far.
“He definitely gives you a good energy about the place. You’re coming into training, you’re buzzing at training, he’s always making sure that you’re sharp, you’re ready to go, you’re not messing around in training. That’s exactly the type of environment that you need, especially with us this season aiming to get promoted straight away.”
1 November 2024; Luke Mulligan of Dundalk replaces Aodh Dervin during the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division match between Drogheda United and Dundalk at Weavers Park in Drogheda, Co. Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully.
Mulligan had previously played at right-back and at centre-half for the club but lately has been used mainly as a six or an eight in midfield, with the youngster saying he “could do a good job anywhere nearly”.
And with a young squad at Oriel, he sees opportunities to show supporters what he can do in the coming year. “Definitely,” Luke said. “There’s a couple of boys younger than me, which seems to be quite a surprise!
“But that’s good. For me, it makes me a wee bit more comfortable knowing that there are boys your age, but then at the same time, the older boys are there. It’s a perfect balance of youth and experience.”
29 October 2022; Luke Mulligan during a Republic of Ireland U16 squad portrait session at the Tower Hotel in Waterford. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile.
Mulligan is now four years at Oriel and says he “couldn’t have asked for anything better” from the club during his time here. A change to evening training for this season also helps the young midfielder to balance football with school.
On his studies, he said: “That keeps Mam happy, staying in school, but to be fair, you do need your education. But I’d definitely be more tuned in on the pitch than I would be in the classroom, that’s for sure.
“The Leaving Cert is not for another year, which I suppose is good, but all the teachers are drilling into your head that you have the Leaving Cert next year. I’m taking it step-by-step, I’m not going to look too far ahead yet, in school anyway.”
For Mulligan, the start of the 2025 League of Ireland season cannot come quick enough, with Athlone Town the visitors to Oriel Park on the opening night on February 14th.
“It would be massive if we could make a promotion push,” Luke said, “but it’s just great that the club is still here. It’s great that we can still play. I’m really looking forward to being a part of a rebuild. I can’t wait for the season to get going.”
Kilduff’s playing squad for 2025 now stands at 14 players.
2025 Dundalk FC Squad
Enda Minogue
Peter Cherrie
Conor O’Keeffe
Mayowa Animasahun
Vinnie Leonard
Seán Keogh
Luke Mulligan
Aodh Dervin
Harry Groome
Daryl Horgan
Gbemi Arubi
Dean Ebbe
Leo Gaxha
Eoin Kenny
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