Stephen Folan to depart Dundalk for Australia's South Melbourne

Following what was a frustrating two years with Dundalk, defender Stephen Folan is set to leave the club end of the season to take up a new challenge with Australian side South Melbourne FC.

Historically one of the biggest clubs in Australia, but now playing in the NPL Victoria which is the country’s second tier, South Melbourne confirmed the acquisition of Folan on Sunday morning.

Dundalk lifted the SSE Airtricity League trophy last Friday night, but Folan did not receive a medal due to the fact that he didn’t make a single appearance in the league for the Lilywhites this season.

In fact, the 27-year-old’s only outing in the entire campaign came back in February when a weakened Dundalk team were beaten 1-0 at home in the Leinster Senior Cup by Athlone Town.

He joined the Oriel Park club ahead of the 2018 season from relegated Galway United, but made just nine league appearances that year, scoring once in a memorable 8-0 thrashing of Limerick at home.

This season has seen the centre-half fall even further down the pecking order behind Sean Hoare, Daniel Cleary, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle and even Dylan Hand, who at least played once in 2019.

The Galway native started his career with Newcastle United, but didn’t make a first-team appearance before joining Limerick in 2013 where he went on to make 60 league appearances.

Brief spells with Sligo Rovers and Cork City followed that before signing for Galway United in 2016.