Vincent Leonard was just eight months old the last time Dundalk competed in the First Division but his first-half header saw the Co Louth side take the first small step towards repeating their promotion of 2008 as they edged out Athlone Town at Oriel Park.
The Lilywhites are aiming to bounce back from a disastrous 2024 when relegation from the Premier Division followed a brief flirtation with going out of business last September before local barrister John Temple stepped up to save the club.
New boss Ciarán Kilduff has made no secret of the fact that he wants to see Dundalk back in the top flight for the 100th anniversary of them joining the League of Ireland in 2026 and they at least got off to a…