Dundalk entered the 2024 season having finished in fifth place in the league the previous season, which meant that they did not qualify for European competition in 2024–25.
Stephen O'Donnell was the club's head coach going into the new term, his third season in charge.
During the close season, US-based businessman Brian Ainscough took ownership of the club from Andy Connolly and STATSports duo Seán O'Connor and Alan Clarke.[1] Record goalscorer Pat Hoban was sold to Derry City ahead of the new season, having scored a total of 150 goals over eight seasons.[2]
2024 was Dundalk's 16th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football, their 89th in all, and their 98th in the League of Ireland.
The league season consisting of 36 matches (four series of nine matches) began on 16 February 2024. A poor start to the league programme, which saw Dundalk at the foot of the table with no wins after eight matches, resulted in O'Donnell being let go. He was replaced on an interim basis by the club's Head of Football operations, Brian Gartland, and first team coach, Liam Burns.[4]
Noel King, a former player of the club, was subsequently named manager on 20 April.[5] His tenure lasted 25 days before he resigned, citing medical issues.[6] By this point, Gartland had also been let go, ending his 11-year association with the club.[7] Liam Burns resumed the interim manager role before Jon Daly was subsequently appointed as the club's new manager.[8]
The club briefly saw an improvement in form.[9] However, after several defeats and with seven games left to play, Daly confirmed rumours that players and staff at the club had not been paid. It was subsequently revealed that the club had amassed debts in excess of €1 million and was in immediate danger of insolvency.[10][11] The club was subsequently rescued by a Dundalk-based barrister, John Temple.[12] But they were relegated with two games remaining following a string of defeats,[13] with Daly also confirming that he would leave the club after the final match.[14]
During the season, a new club record was set of eight home league matches in a row without conceding a goal.[15] TJ Molloy-Murray became the club's youngest first-team player at 15 years and 7 months in the final league match of the season.[16]
