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Eoin Kenny Excited By Premier Challenge
- Colm Murphy
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
Eoin Kenny says he is excited by the challenge ahead after putting pen to paper on a new contract at Dundalk FC, as the club prepares for life back in the Premier Division.
Speaking in the days following the confirmation of his new contract, the 20-year-old said the decision to stay was an easy one following a memorable promotion-winning season.
“It was something I was really happy to get done,” Kenny said. “We had a great season as a team last year and got promoted, so the prospect of playing in the Premier Division again is very exciting. I’m delighted to be staying.”
Kenny, who came through the club’s academy, feels there is unfinished business at the top level — both for himself and the club.
“This will probably be my first full crack at the Premier Division,” he explained. “When I broke through as a young teenager, we got relegated that season. I made appearances, but it wasn’t consistent starts. I didn’t even make my debut until about the 13th game that year.
“So now it feels like a clean slate — a real go from the very start of the season.”
The striker is already back into pre-season action and made an immediate impact earlier this week, scoring twice in his first outing.
“It was really good,” he said. “I hadn’t trained that much before it, so it was great to get minutes in the legs and get used to playing with the new lads. To get two goals was a bonus and I was delighted with that — finishing where I left off last season.
“At this stage, it’s all about fitness and getting familiar with the group.”
Reflecting on last season, Kenny pointed to both his own consistency and the strength of the squad as key factors in Dundalk’s promotion success.
“I was very happy with the season,” he said. “I played almost every game — the only two I missed were because of international duty. I felt I really grew into my role and scored some big goals.
“But more importantly, we had a really strong group. The togetherness was massive, and the staff were excellent. To get over the line in the end was special — really special.”
Kenny also spoke about the bond he has built with supporters, particularly the Shedside Army, noting that hard work is something he prides himself on.
“I just try to play the game the right way,” he said. “I’ll never play a game without giving 100 per cent. Even if things aren’t going well, the effort will always be there. I think supporters appreciate that, and maybe that’s where the connection comes from.”
Looking back on his development since making his senior debut, Kenny feels he has matured both physically and mentally.
“I’ve come on a lot,” he said. “I’ve played in different positions — up front, as a number 10, and out wide — and I think that’s helped my all-round game. My decision-making has improved, and physically I’m in a much better place now. I really enjoyed last season and I want to keep improving every single week.”
With new signings arriving and several key players retained, Kenny believes competition within the squad will be crucial heading into the new campaign.
“We’ve signed very well,” he said. “You want a competitive squad, and we definitely have that. Re-signing big players from last year was really important too. We were able to make a lot of changes in the last game and still look strong. That’s what you want — players pushing each other every day in training. We’ve also lads still to come back from injury, which will make us even stronger.”
As a local player, helping Dundalk re-establish themselves in the Premier Division carries extra meaning.
“I’ve been through the highs and the lows here,” Kenny said. “I was here when we got relegated, and to be part of bringing the club back up meant a lot — not just to us, but to the whole town.
“Dundalk deserves to be playing in the Premier Division. The job now is to maintain that position and see how far we can go.”
Finally, Kenny pointed to the changes off the pitch and the new surface at Oriel Park as signs of a club moving forward.
“It feels like a fresh start,” he said. “There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and it’s a good time for the club. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the new pitch. It’s probably overdue, but it looks like it’s coming along great — and I can’t wait to train and play on it.”
DFCTV Interview
Watch Eoin's interview with Chris Clarke below.
