O'Donnell admits Dundalk are yet to have talks about players

With just two matches left to play in the current campaign, Stephen O’Donnell admits that Dundalk FC are yet to open negotiations with any of their out-of-contract players.

As it stands, established squad members such as Nathan Shepperd, Alfie Lewis, Daniel Kelly, Robbie Benson, Greg Sloggett, John Martin, Peter Cherrie, Cameron Elliott, Keith Ward, Robbie McCourt and John Mountney are all free to depart Oriel Park this winter.

With goalkeeper Shepperd attracting cross-channel interest, Derry City are keen on acquiring Kelly, while Shelbourne are believed to be preparing an offer for Sloggett.

“We’re not close with anyone to be honest,” said O’Donnell.

“Nobody has offers. We need to know where we stand, all of that type of thing, in regards offers to players. We’ll have a sit down and hopefully have a meeting (with the owners) at some stage this week.”

Reminded about last year’s winter transfer window, when Dundalk had to wait until January 10th to make their first signing, the head coach added: “We don’t want that because you’re sort of behind the eight ball then straight off the bat. You’re using early league games that you want to be using pre-season games for. So we don’t want that.

“Internally, we’d have a fair idea (re departures), but obviously things can change as well in regards training and matches. So we’ll deal with all of that at the end of the season.

“We haven’t spoken (about next season’s budget). We haven’t gone in depth about anything.

“A coach always wants more money. There’s other clubs that are really kicking on from a financial standpoint. And the market’s tight from a player’s point of view.”

O’Donnell has also responded to reports that Derry have opened negotiations with 27-year-old winger Kelly, who is about to complete his fifth season as a Dundalk player.

“I had a chat with Daniel. There’s always going to be interest. Likewise, there’s interest from us in other players at other clubs also.

“That’s just part and parcel of the end of the season. That’s going to happen no matter what. That’s part of the game. It is the game.”

Another long-serving player, 27-year-old midfielder Sloggett, moved to Oriel from Derry close to four years ago, and has gained the admiration of Shels manager Damien Duff.

“We do want to keep Greg. I’ve spoken to Greg. Obviously he’s been used and he’s done very well.

“He done well tonight in midfield and I felt he’s done well at centre-half as well the last few weeks. So he’s a player that we’d be wanting to keep, but I’m not going into individuals, who we want to keep and who we don’t.
“We have a good core there I feel.”

However, one player that has already departed is on-loan midfielder Johannes Yli-Kokko, who has returned to Finland with HJK Helsinki after suffering a groin injury.

“Johannes has gone back,” confirmed O’Donnell.

“He’s been struggling with a pubic sort of symphysis. So after the Shelbourne game, both clubs spoke and we said it would be best off to go back to the parent club and for him to sort of get ready for next year.”

Benson, Ward and Mountney have spent much of the campaign on the treatment table, but O’Donnell is open to the possibility of all three players signing for the 2024 season.

“Without a shadow of a doubt, we’d be very, very hopeful (of Benson returning from injury in time for next year).
“I’d like to keep (Mountney). We’ll see with all of them. There’s going to be some ins and outs at the end of every season really with any club.”