Dundalk vice-captain Aodh Dervin wants the new-look Lilywhites to build “a winning mentality”, as they head into their second competitive match under Ciarán Kilduff against Usher Celtic in the Leinster Senior Cup at Oriel Park on Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Tickets are priced at €10 for all areas and, while cash and card will be taken at the gate, supporters are once again advised to purchase their tickets online in advance of the game.

Life under Kilduff began impressively for Dundalk on Friday evening when they swept aside Malahide United 4-0 at Oriel, first-half goals from skipper Daryl Horgan and new No9 Dean Ebbe added to after the break by strikes from Dervin and Aidan Russell Vargas.

The Louth men now have a quick turnaround for another Leinster Senior Cup Group B match, where a second straight victory under the new manager would see them qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare.

“It’s habits, a winning mentality, so we have to make sure that we’re at it,” Dervin told dundalkfc.com, as he reflected on a very positive opening night – the club’s first win since July – and looked ahead to the Usher test.

“Every game you want to win, pre-season, Cup game, whatever it is. Look, it’s a trophy to win, so that’s what we want to do.”

17 January 2025; Aodh Dervin of Dundalk celebrates with teammates Daryl Horgan and Eoin Kenny after scoring in the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Malahide United at Oriel Park, Co Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.

Dundalk dominated possession against Malahide and could well have had more goals, with substitute Muhammad Haris going close three times after coming off the bench in the 65th minute.

“If you watched the game, you could see what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to play exciting football,” Dervin said, “and excite the fans. Especially after last year, I think they need something to be excited about and that’s up to us.

“The manager said it, there was a stage last year that you didn’t think there’d be another game here, so we’re privileged.

“It’s up to us now to excite them. We’re out of whatever trouble it was. Now, we know what we want to do this year, and we need to kick on.”

17 January 2025; Seán Keogh, Aidan Russell Vargas and Ken Kiernan after the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Malahide United at Oriel Park, Co Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.

On the exciting young players in the squad, Dervin added: “That’s one thing I said when I came in, the standard of the young players is unbelievable. They’re all really good lads; all have their feet on the ground.

“Long may it continue. It just shows what the club is doing here. I haven’t been in a dressing-room where there is that many talented young people.”

Dervin at just 25 is one of the older players in the squad but has taken the responsibility of a leader in his stride.

“It’s a new role, vice-captain this year,” he said, “so it’s about being there for the young lads if they need to talk to somebody, I have to be there to do it. But still, I just want to concentrate on my football. If we’re all on the same hymn sheet, I think it’s going to stand to us.”

While Dundalk beat Malahide 4-0, on the same night, Usher Celtic lost 4-0 to Shamrock Rovers in the other Group B game in Grangegorman.

The Hoops were 3-0 up inside 14 minutes through goals from Richard Vodo and Charles Akimrintoyo who grabbed a brace, with Ajibola Oluwabiyi adding a 33rd-minute fourth.

11 January 2025; Sammy Safaei of Dundalk during the pre-season friendly between Shelbourne and Dundalk at the AUL Complex in Dublin. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.

Team News
Dundalk will be without goalkeeper Enda Minogue (face) and winger Norman Garbett (hamstring), while centre-half Seán McHale (heel) will be assessed ahead of the game having been forced off early against Malahide on Friday.

Young midfielder Luke Mulligan (ankle) is in contention after not being risked on Friday, and 19-year-old ‘keeper Sammy Safaei is in line for a first start under Kilduff.

Matchnight Info
Tickets for Monday can be purchased here. Gates open at 6.30pm.

The Lilywhite Lounge will also be open from 6.30pm. The Enda McGuill Suite will be closed.

The match is kindly sponsored by The Phoenix Bar, Park Street.

Mullens, Castletown Road and the Brew Crew will again be in Oriel Park for the match.

The Club Shop, now located in the YDC, will be closed on Monday, but will be open 12-4pm on Sunday.

Design by Lincoln Smyth.