The team was managed by Joe McCleery, previously of Belfast Celtic F.C., who used his connections to Northern Irish football to ensure a supply of players for the season ahead.

[4] Three players were retained from the Leinster Senior League squad - Joey Quinn, Paddy McMahon and Hugh Craig.

The result was a 2–1 defeat for the new boys in a match the Cork Examiner described as being "one of the best ever seen in Ballinlough",[6] Joey Quinn with Dundalk's first ever Free State League goal.

[9] The nine-match League of Ireland Shield schedule commenced after Christmas, again with a visit to Cork to play Fordsons.

A total of 47 players lined out for the team during the season, 11 of whom appeared only once, as manager McCleery tapped into his Northern Irish connections in his attempts to build a competitive side.