HAPPY TO GET IT DUN

Benson signs a new deal at Oriel Park and starts planning big Whites season

ROBBIE BENSON is convinced that Dundalk can be the team to beat next season.

The midfielder handed the Lilywhites an early Christmas present yesterday by signing back for one more season.

In September, Benson revealed he would only ever sign one-year deals in the League of Ireland as he wants to keep his options open at the end of any given season.

But the 25-year-old was sought after by clubs outside the League of Ireland, with SPL outfit St Johnstone leading the charge.

Tommy Wright ran the rule over Benson and David Mcmillan in the FAI Cup final penalty shootout defeat to Cork City last month and was considering a double swoop.

But while Mcmillan (inset) is still expected to join the Perth side, Wright claimed Benson’s wage demands were too high even though his representatives denied this.

Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny still has a fight on his hands to keep star turn Patrick Mceleney at the club, he was always hopeful that Benson would agree fresh terms.

The Athlone man has been an important cog in the wheel over the last two seasons, weighing in with big European goals in his first season.

Benson said yesterday: “I’m happy to get it done. I’m going into my third season with the club and I’m looking forward to it.

“I’ve had a very successful two years. Losing the FAI Cup final last season left a bitter taste in our mouths but it’s given us a good drive to come back next year focused.

“Hopefully we can regain everything that we gave away last year, progress in Europe and retain the EA Sports Cup as well.”

Weighing up his next step, Benson had refused to rule out a move away in the wake of that Aviva Stadium defeat to the Rebels who clinched the double.

He was also linked with Hibernian but Dundalk - set to be taken over by American investors in the coming weeks - have won out.

Benson said: “It was a tough week after the Cup final. The whole season ended on a penalty shoot-out whereas if it goes the other way you’re looking back a bit more fondly.

“But I can only speak for myself, it’s given me a motivational factor in the off season. I’ll work hard until we’re back in January and hopefully progress again.”

While Mcmillan is poised to leave and Niclas Vemmelund already has, keeping in-demand Sean Gannon and Benson was vital for Dundalk.

Securing Mceleney (below right) is now the club’s priority but he has options in England with Blackburn, Oldham and

Coventry all keen while there is also potential interest in

America.

Stephen Folan, Dean

Jarvis, Ronan Murray and

Patrick Hoban have been signed and Benson said:

“They’re top quality and any team in the league would be lucky to have them.”

He continued: “It was great to see the players who re-signed

- Sean Gannon,

Chris Shields and

Brian Gartland.

Hopefully we can be very successful.”