Dundalk continue 2023 rebuilding process by renewing contract of Robbie Benson

Dundalk FC have revealed the latest player to sign on the dotted line at Oriel Park with the announcement that midfielder Robbie Benson has agreed to a new contract with the club.

The midfielder, who is currently enjoying a second spell with the Lilywhites, made 31 appearances in 2022, grabbing four goals and four assists across all competitions.

After securing a third place finish in the Premier Division, along with a return to European football, Benson is now hungry to bring further success to the town in 2023.

“The target is to try and build and to improve on last year,” he told dundalkfc.com. “We want to get closer to the top and we also have Europe to look forward to in the summer. This club has had a great record in Europe over the last six or seven years, so we’ll be going into the summer looking to keep that going.”

While Head Coach Stephen O'Donnell has so far only brought in one new player, that being Gibraltar International Louie Annesley, he has been able to nail down many of the club's best players from last year.

Benson's new contract means 15 of them are now tied down until at least the end of the season. The Athlone native was happy to see so many of his teammates remaining at Oriel Park.

"I’m sure there’ll be lots of new faces here by the time the start of the season comes around but it’s up to the experienced lads who were here from last year – and before that – to raise our levels up again and not be relying on new signings to come in and have an amazing season.

“As a core of players, we’ve already had that discussion. We’ve had a year now under Stephen (O’Donnell) and the coaches here so we’re more in tune now with what they want and expect and it’s up to the players now to take action and implement what they want.”

Not long after the final game against Derry City, Benson underwent surgery to repair the troublesome hernia injury that plagued the second half of his campaign. All going well, he expects to be back and available for selection come their league opener versus UCD on February 17th.

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“It’s very important to have Robbie here for another season,” stressed Dundalk head coach Stephen O’Donnell.

“His season was badly interrupted from the summertime onwards and, to be honest, he probably wasn’t fit to play at all during the second half of the campaign.

“He battled through the pain barrier and that’s the epitome of what Robbie is all about. He made himself available even though he couldn’t train and he was very limited in what he could do, but his presence alone was that important.

“It’s our job now to make sure we keep him available on the training ground and for matches. His attitude and the way he carries himself throughout the week is indispensable and once he gets into a rhythm of games, he’s one of the best midfielders in the country.”