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.

Photo: Action Images

karls_dad added 16:33 - Jul 11 Can anyone cast an opinion on Airtricity Premier? what sort of level is that? how can we compare it to an English leauge? I,m just struggling to work out what sort of level this guy is, have not a clue on any Irish clubs or players for that matter!
0

Seasider added 17:00 - Jul 11 Would like to see the club be a bit more ambitious bearing in mind MM obtained replacement for free(I know there are still costs associated).This is one of the most important positions in the team and perhaps some of our supporters from the Emerald Isle can confirm that the standard of their top league is equivalent to our League 1. Gree with Serco and Running Out.
1

irishtim added 17:31 - Jul 11 Yes top of the SSE Airtricity Premier divison championship would be on par with league one. This guy certainly worth having a look at.
0

Jaffe added 18:05 - Jul 11 the only PFAI Young Players of the Year to do anything were wes hottennanny and Daryl murphy and he's only scored 47 goals in his whole career
0

ArnieM added 18:24 - Jul 11 Spoken to a work colleague (who originates from Eire) about this player and he says he's a quality player. He would be a very good player for us to pick up and reckon any fee would around £ 50-100k
0

Steve_D added 20:28 - Jul 11 Please god no. Hardly a goal scorer. 7 goals in 31 in a league worse than Scotland hardly fills me with confidence and at 22 hardly up and coming
0

Steve_D added 20:30 - Jul 11 Ooh ps too many hardlys
0

Steve_D added 20:30 - Jul 11 Ooh ps too many hardlys
0

blueboy1981 added 21:00 - Jul 11 ......... another 'world class player' - so good - he'll be another potential FREEBIE. Amazing how the same posters on here, think anyone mentioned as a possible signing for us - is a previously unearthed star, that no one else has noticed. Fact is we are interested - because he will cost us very little, IF INDEED ANYTHING.
0

bring_back_Wickham added 21:04 - Jul 11 Steve_ he got 7 in 31 last season. He has 7 in 18 this season
0

jpring89 added 22:37 - Jul 11 surely this is the sort of player you want to sign someone with something to prove on a bigger stage than hes ever performed at before. dont know how many chances he will get to prove himself though. mick will be judged on the players he signed for relatively big fees from cresswell fee hopefully this guy will be an added bonus
1

BrettenhamBlue added 02:58 - Jul 12 Know nothing about this guy but trust in MM. Not keen on the whole "sponsored by crabbies" thing though (his shirt). Hopefully not another human-crab like Leadbitter for the team. Good record as a goal-scoring midfielder and good age. Will be hungry to make a mark and we do need a SQUAD this season not just a team
1

Jaffe added 07:33 - Jul 12 the new George O'Callaghan
-1

Blogs 297 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls