As the 2025 League of Ireland season approaches, let’s take a look into how Dundalk are spending their winter months ahead of the first division returning in a month’s time.
1. Harry Groome.
Groome was Kilduff’s first singing as the new Dundalk manager, signing him from the Carlisle Grounds in Bray.
Groome spent his Academy days with Shelbourne, then going out on loan to Wexford FC for the 2021 season.
Harry then signed permanently for Wexford the following season after an impressive loan spell.
In 2023, Harry was brought up to Bray where he featured in last season’s Promotion/Relegation playoff final where he scored against Drogheda.
2.Dean Ebbe.
Signed from Athlone Town, Ebbe became Kilduff’s second signing of the window.
Ebbe was the top scorer of last season’s SSE Airticity Men’s First Division, scoring 20 goals for Athlone Town in all competitions.
Dean also played along side Kilduff in 2012 and 2013 at Shamrock Rovers.
3.Conor O’Keeffe.
O’Keeffe joins the Lilywhites from Galway united.
Conor was part of Galway United’s SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division winning team in 2023.
O’Keeffe has also had experience playing football for New Zealand club, Southern United.
4.Gbemi Arubi.
Arubi has moved to the town from a one season spell down with Waterford FC.
Gbemi has experience playing with Shelbourne, Waterford, training with Lincoln City in England and also representing Ireland U19’s against Iceland in 2022.
5.Enda Minogue.
Minogue was a key part of Athlone’s team between the sticks, helping them make it to the playoffs the last two seasons.
In August 2016, Enda made his Premier Division debut against Dundalk as a 16 year old goalkeeper for Bray Wanderers.
Enda joined Bohemians in 2021, playing part in their UEFA Conference League run, then moving to Athlone in summer 2022.
6.Leo Gaxha.
Gaxha moved home to Kerry FC from Sheffield United in 2023. Gaxha then got a move to Galway United however, over the summer he made a loan move to Athlone Town, where he scored four goals in fifteen appearances for the Club.
Gaxha has also played underage internationally for Ireland and Albania.
7.Mayowa Animasahun.
Mayowa signed a contract to keep him at Oriel after getting 19 appearances in the Premier Division, starting 16 last season.
Mayowa has been at Dundalk since he was 17. He had a loan move to the NIFL with Dungannon Swifts in the 2022/23 season.
Animasahun became Kilduff’s first Re-signing of the window.
8.Eoin Kenny.
19 year old striker Eoin Kenny became Kilduff’s second Re-signing of the window.
Kenny has made over 30 senior appearances for the club.
Eoin has also spent time away on loan with Wexford FC last year.
9.Peter Cherrie.
Peter, who had been announced in Ciarán Kilduff’s management team has signed a playing contract ahead of the upcoming season.
Cherrie was back-up for Dundalk for part of last season.
Peter signed for Dundalk back in 2009 and was part of the Premier Division title winning team in 2014.
10.Vinnie Leonard.
Leonard signed his first professional contract, joining Ciarán’s squad for the 2025 season.
Vinnie joined Dundalk in 2022, playing his way up from U14. He also lined out against Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup at Oriel Park last February. Leonard then made his Premier Division debut coming off the bench against Shamrock Rovers last October.
11.Luke Mulligan.
Joining the club in 2021, Luke Mulligan signed his first professional contract with Dundalk one year ago.
Luke made his League Of Ireland senior debut for the club when he came off the bench in the Louth Derby at Oriel Park last July. Luke made his second appearance for the club also coming against Drogheda United on the final day of the 2024 season.
12.Norman Garbett.
The New Zealand native also became another Re-signing to join Ciarán Kilduff’s squad for the 2025 season.
Garbett made 8 total appearances for the club, which all came from the bench.
13. Seán McHale.
Seán signed a season long loan deal to dundalk, from St. Patrick’s Athletic.
Seán spent last season on loan to Wexford FC, scoring a winning goal on his debut against UCD in Dublin. Seán became the 13th signing of the window for Kilduff and his 16th confirmed player for the upcoming season.
14.Andy Paraschiv.
Paraschiv has become Kilduff’s latest addition to the squad ahead of the 2025 season.
The 17 year old featured for Dundalk in their pre-season friendly against Shelbourne last Saturday.
Paraschiv has played for Bohemians from U13 – U17’s, then moving to Glebe North in the Leinster Senior League.
Some very positive signings and Re-signings for Ciarán Kilduff and Dundalk as they look to gain promotion back up to the Premier Division.