Luke Mulligan delighted to have achieved ‘a nice wee extra’ after becoming Dundalk FC’s youngest-ever player

History was made at Gannon Park on Sunday as Luke Mulligan came off the bench in Dundalk’s 3-1 Leinster Senior Cup win over Malahide United to become the youngest-ever player to feature in a competitive game for the club.

Aged 16 years, two months and eight days, the defender broke the record previously held by Conor ‘Chippy’ McDonald who was a month and a day older at 16 years, three months and nine days when he made his debut against St Patrick’s Athletic in September 2011.

McDonald, who is now based in Melbourne in Australia, had previously broken a record held since 1950 by Northern Irish international Peter McParland, who was 16 years, four months and 26 days when he made his debut against Bohemians in the Leinster Senior Cup in September 1950.

From Latton in Monaghan, Mulligan had previously featured for the first-team in a friendly win over Larne aged just 14-and-a-half in June 2022 but said he was unaware of the record until after Sunday’s game, which was played in blustery conditions at the north-Dublin ground.

“It’s a nice wee extra,” he said of his place in the club’s history books following his official debut.

“I came into the season just looking to get a few minutes and I didn’t know myself that I was the youngest player until after the game so it is a nice wee cherry on top after a good performance.”

Mulligan, who only signed his first professional deal with the Lilywhites in December, also had a half-chance to become the club’s youngest scorer after bursting into the box shortly after his introduction on the hour mark, but it was not to be.

“I nearly had it but I wouldn’t be the best in front of goal as a defender,” he added, laughing.

“The ball just got stuck under my feet and then I had to play what I seen. I couldn’t just go for a shot when it wasn’t on.

“I was happy enough with how I did, though. Obviously, there’s stuff to improve on, especially from my first game on Thursday in Oriel (against Longford Town) but hopefully I’ll just keep improving game-to-game and get better.”

The Irish underage international said he is enjoying the step up to first-team training and admitted he hopes to learn as much as possible from last season’s Player of the Year, Archie Davies, who he replaced on the day.

“It was a good test and a good challenge,” he said of making the step up at the start of pre-season.

“I found it a wee bit difficult at the start but now I’m finding my feet a wee bit more. It’s still a very good test and I’m enjoying it at the minute.

“Archie is a good man to learn off anyway. He is a great player and a good lad as well. Hopefully I can get a few tips off him and others and keep getting better as a player.”

As well as becoming the club’s youngster player, Mulligan also caught the eye with his display following his introduction against Malahide. That, coupled with his performance against Longford Town on Thursday, is all the more impressive given he is not strictly a right-back.

“I’d usually have played in the right side of a back three last year so it has its similarities to when you’re playing right-back so it’s not too bad a transition and I enjoy both.

“I’m happy enough to play anywhere, wherever I’m told to play though. It’s just about getting the job done.”

While he hopes for further first-team chances in the weeks, months and even years ahead, Mulligan is having to juggle his footballing ambitions with his studies at Ballybay Community College.

“This year, it’s not too bad,” he said.

“I’m only in transition year this year but next year I’ll just have to get grinds and stuff after school and make sure I’m putting in the work off the field to keep Mam and Dad happy and make sure I’m getting good results.

“Next year and the year after it’s just about finding a good balance between education and football but this year isn’t too bad because I’m only in TY.

“I’d love to get more minutes but I’ll just take it as it comes and see how I get on.”

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