New deal for Mayo man at Dundalk FC
Mayo man Paul Doyle has signed a new two-year contract extension with Dundalk FC.
The Westport native arrived at the Co. Louth club from UCD last winter and made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring three goals, as Stephen O’Donnell’s side secured a place in the top three of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com, Doyle (24) said: “I’m delighted to be here for the next two seasons, and the aim now is to push on from where we finished this year. After the first round of fixtures, I got to grips with what the club was all about. I know what the expectations and the demands are here and now it’s all about pushing on and trying to compete on all fronts.
“I want to challenge for titles and cups and play in big European games in the future, and I think we’ve taken the first step on that ladder this season.”
A hamstring injury in August forced an early end to Doyle's first season at Dundalk but he is on course for a return to full fitness in pre-season.
“The injury came at a bad time for me because I think I was starting to show the best of what I could do.
“When I was at UCD, I played in a number of different midfield positions but coming in here, under the gaffer and Padge (Cregg), they’ve given me the role of the midfielder who sits in front of the back four.
“We refined it as the season went on and I think I was going from strength to strength before the injury. It was frustrating but I’m back on the horse and I want to get back fitter and stronger and make a big contribution next season.
“I’ve learned an awful lot over the past 12 months but I still have an awful lot of improvements to make and I have a long way to go to reach my ceiling, and hopefully over the next two years we’ll see that come to light.”
The Dundalk head coach, Stephen O'Donnell, said the club is really excited to have the services of the Westport secured for the next couple of seasons.
“The progression he made from pre-season up to when he got injured was there for all to see,” O'Donnell said. “I think there is a lot more to come from him and he can develop into a talisman and a leader for the club. He has that personality.
“It can be a bit of a culture shock coming from UCD to Dundalk but he has revelled in it and I can only see him going from strength to strength.
“He knows the way we want to play and the way we want to go about things. I think he enjoys that part of the game so we are looking forward to seeing him develop and blossom again in 2023.
“He sustained quite a significant injury but he started a bit of jogging last week. We won’t be rushing him but we’ve challenged him to get better physically over the winter and the timeline coordinates with the start of pre-season.”