Second local in as many days leaves Dundalk as striker Ciaran O'Connor moves on

Dundalk could begin next season without a single senior player from the town after Ciaran O'Connor followed Shane Grimes in seeking pastures new.

 

After spending much of the past three seasons out on loan, the striker has decided to leave permanently in order to secure full-time football and progress his career.

 

The 21-year-old made his senior debut for the Lilywhites in 2013 but has seen regular gametime only on loan with Warrenpoint Town, Derry City, Finn Harps and Bohemians.

 

He joins fellow Dundalk native Shane Grimes in the exit queue at Oriel Park after the 30-year-old announced his departure yesterday.

 

“I’m sad to leave as there is nothing better than playing for your hometown team but it’s important that I’m playing week in week out now,” he told Dundalk's official website.

 



“This is why I have decided to move on and hopefully one day I get to put on that Dundalk jersey again in the future.

 

“There has been plenty of great memories and Dundalk but the BATE Borisov game stands out a mile on a personal note being on the bench in the Europa League and being part of winning the league title three times in a row!

 

“I want to thank all the fans and staff for everything they have done for me and best wishes for the future.”

 



 

O'Connor spent the first half of the 2016 season on loan with Finn Harps and the second half with Bohemians, scoring five goals in his time in Ballybofey.