O’Donnell led by example on the field of play
GLOWING tributes have been paid all over the town following the announcement that Stephen O’Donnell is to retire from playing professional football.
His retirement is featured extensively elsewhere in this edition, but you could not let the week go by without paying tribute to the player who lifted the first of Dundalk’s league titles under Stephen Kenny and the league and cup double in 2015 and a third consecutive title the following season.
He was a terrific player, a marvellous leader of his side, who could dictate and control the pace of a game. Marvellously brave and skilful, his opening goal in the 2014 title decider against Cork City rocked a packed Oriel Park.
He was a special player and a gentleman to meet on the streets of the town.
With Stephen Kenny left for pastures new and now Stephen O’Donnell’s retirement it is a further changing of the guard amongst a very special group in Oriel Park and that will leave Lilywhite supporters anxious that the glories of recent seasons will continue to flow.
It is not a given, we all know that however much faith and belief there is in the remaining group of players and the new managerial team.
A triple-title winning captain, Stephen O’Donnell will forever be remembered very fondly in the town and it is wonderful that the club is now on such a
IT IS WONDERFUL THAT THE CLUB IS NOW ON SUCH A SECURE FOOTING THAT IT CAN OFFER HIM A ROLE WITHIN ORIEL PARK
secure footing that it can offer him a role within Oriel Park to remain involved and if he is interested in a coaching role, hopefully some avenue could be found for him to assist either the youth setup in the club or the local schoolboys league representative squads as he commences a new career, which in time could see him be a future Dundalk manager.