Daryl Horgan: Dundalk can keep momentum going despite departures

Daryl Horgan insists Dundalk can continue to go from strength to strength next season even if some of the club’s leading lights depart.

The 24-year-old winger was one of the stars of the Louth outfit’s European adventure which came to a disappointing conclusion with defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night.

Dundalk’s performances across 12 European matches this season won them many admirers putting the likes of Horgan and Andy Boyle firmly on the radar of cross-channel clubs.

Boyle became the first departure yesterday when it was confirmed he would be joining English Championship side, Preston North End, who are also understood to be leading the race for Horgan.

Several other key players from the Lilywhites have also yet to ink deals for 2017 but Horgan insists the SSE Airtricity League champions can continue to grow what and give Europe another real crack next summer.

Asked what the future held for him, Horgan remained coy saying: “I don’t know to be honest. I’m still weighing things up.”

But he insisted it would be hard for anyone to depart a side who are now regarded as one of the best the League of Ireland has ever produced.

“It’s a brilliant group. They’re a great group of lads and everyone gets on. Everyone is mates. We’ve had an incredible year and for the last few months we’ve been living in each others’ pockets in hotels and being in every day so we’ve got very close and accustomed to each other.

“(Leaving) It’s a big decision to make. You’re leaving a group where everyone gets on so well and it’s so easy to incorporate yourself into it.

“It’s brilliant to be a part of it and, being honest with you, it was a special year. It was incredible to retain the league for a third time and our European run was unbelievable. Even if players leave this team can still go from strength to strength.”

Despite finishing bottom of Europa League, Group D, Horgan maintains Dundalk can learn and build on this year’s European journey.

“We’re not that far off,” he said. “We didn’t lose a game by more than a goal and we’ve competed with some of the best teams in the competition. Some of them are Champions League groups stage regulars so we know we’re right up at that level.

“We’re very, very close to kicking on but it just shows everyone that Irish football isn’t as bad as it has been made out to be.

“Mistakes have cost us but that’s going to happen when you try to play out from the back. It’s unfortunate we haven’t capitalised on some of the chances we have had in other games. We hit the post twice against Zenit for example and they’re the things we’ll look back on.”