RETURN OF THE MAC
A familiar face is expected to be back in the Dundalk FC squad when the club returns to league action against St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm, live on RTÉ Two).
The Argus understands that striker David McMillan is close to re-signing for the Lilywhites following his departure from Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone at the end of May.
The 31-year-old previously graced Oriel Park for four seasons from 2014 to 2017, winning three league titles, two EA Sports Cups and an FAI Cup, as well as playing a pivotal role in the club’s memorable European journey in 2016.
While McMillan’s spell in Scotland never quite worked out as hoped, with just four goals in 13 league starts and 11 sub appearances for St Johnstone either side of loan spells at Hamilton and Falkirk, where he played most recently, he remains a firm fan favourite at Oriel Park.
The attacker scored 74 goals in 125 starts and 47 substitute appearances during his initial spell at Oriel Park, including 51 goals and seven in Europe making him the club’s all-time leading European goalscorer with four more goals than Robbie Benson, Cathal Muckian, Mick Fairclough and new team-mate Patrick Hoban.
McMillan’s pending arrival could spell the end of Georgie Kelly’s tenure at Oriel Park with a loan move to St Patrick’s Athletic likely although former club Derry City are also interested.
Meanwhile, Dundalk FC season ticket holders will be able to watch all of the club’s remaining league matches live online for free.
The club last week announced plans to provide the new WATCHLOI streaming service to all season ticket holders.
Friday’s home game against St Patrick’s Athletic, as well as all other league games this weekend, will be available on the SSE Airtricity League’s new streaming service
WATCHLOI will show over 55 games from the SSE Airtricity League and Extra. ie FAI Cup using RTE Sport’s cameras and commentary teams.
Each season ticket holder will be presented with a unique code which can only be used once. The club will be in contact with season ticket holders early this week with more details.
Non-season ticket holders can also subscribe to WATCHLOI at www.watchloi. ie at a cost of just €55 (€69 outside Ireland) for a season pass or on a match-by-match basis for €5. All sales of WATCHLOI will directly benefit the club.
Dundalk FC Chairman Bill Hulsizer stated: ‘I have been in discussions with the FAI about streaming for many months now. I believe it has great potential for the league. It has been agreed that we will be able to watch a pilot stream from the WATCHLOI service to demonstrate if this is a good solution.
‘If it is a good service we will be happy to support the WATCHLOI system and provide a free season pass subscription to all of our season ticket holders. The important issue for me is if this service will be good enough for supporters.’