Town boss Mick McCarthy and his assistant Terry Connor were amongst the spectators as Airtricity Premier League leaders Dundalk defeated Luxembourg’s Jeunesse Esch 3-1 at home in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie on Thursday evening with central midfielder Richie Towell understood to be the reason for their trip.
The Blues squad have spent the week in Ireland training at the Carton House hotel in Co Kildare and play Dublin club Shelbourne in their first pre-season friendly at Tolka Park on Saturday (KO 3pm).
Although not on the scoresheet at Oriel Park, midfielder Towell netted both Dundalk’s goals, one from the spot, as they won the away leg 2-0 a week ago.
Dubliner Towell, 22, played youth football with Crumlin United before joining Celtic in 2006 when only 15.
Having made one sub appearance for the Bhoys and spent two spells on loan with Hibernian, Towell returned to Ireland and joined Dundalk ahead of the 2013 Irish season.
During a highly successful first season with the Lilywhites Towell won the PFAI Young Player of the Year, was in the PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year and was Dundalk’s Player and Young Player of the Year.
He scored seven league goals in 31 appearances during that 2013 campaign — the Irish season runs through the summer - and has already matched that total in 18 league games this season.
Barnsley, Charlton and Brentford have all previously been linked with the former Ireland U17, U19 and U21 international, whose contract is up in November.