Seán McHale will spend another season away from St Pat's - this time with Dundalk as they bid for a quick-fire Premier Division return.

McHale, 19, spent last season on loan with Wexford and the Saints centre-half will gain further experience under Ciaran Kilduff at Oriel Park.

The former Corduff and Shelbourne youth joined St Pat’s three years ago and won the under-19 League in his first season. He also represented the Ireland u-17s and u-18s in the same year.

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He joined Wexford on loan 11 months ago and, after an enforced two-month absence through injury after scoring a goal on his debut, he played in 24 of their 27 fixtures from May as the club reached the play-offs and the FAI Cup semi-final, when they lost to eventual trophy winners Drogheda.

New Lilywhites boss Kilduff has described McHale's signing as a "great coup", adding: “Seán is one that I’ve been pursuing since I took the job. He has got great attributes. St Pat’s rate him highly as well and the fact I could get him in for the season is a great coup for the club.

“Going forward, he’s going to be a great addition, both in the dressing-room and on the pitch, so I’m delighted to have him.

“I would have seen him play against Athlone and he was playing for Maynooth University, which is close to home for me, and I would have had a direct link with Maynooth University, so I’ve seen him play a lot of games.

"We scouted him well and he ticked the profile of the type of player that we were looking for. There were a couple of conversations with Pat’s and Stephen Kenny. They rate him as highly as we do.

"Where we’re at in our build and where they’re at, it was a perfect opportunity for Seán to come in with us and strengthen our group.”

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