Marc Ludden

Marc Ludden
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-02-28) 28 February 1990
Place of birth Brussels, Belgium
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Full-back
Team information
Current team
 Salthill Devon
Youth career
2001 Corofin United
2001–2009 Mervue United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Mervue United 119 (5)
2014–2020 Galway United 154 (11)
2021–2023 Treaty United 72 (10)
2024– Salthill Devon
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Marc Ludden (born 28 February 1990) is an Irish footballer who plays as a Full-back for Galway & District League club Salthill Devon.

Ludden is best known for his time playing in the League of Ireland where he had extensive stints with Mervue United, Galway United and Treaty United.

Early life

Ludden was born in Brussels, Belgium as his father was working in the city. When he was 11 his family moved back to their hometown of Corofin.[1]

Ludden won an All-Ireland Féile championship with Corofin GAA in 2004.[2]

Career

Mervue United

On 20 March 2009, Ludden made his debut for League of Ireland First Division club Mervue United, in a 1–1 draw with Finn Harps at Terryland Park.[3][4] Ludden would go on to start a majority of Mervue’s games that season. On 23 May 2009, Ludden scored his first ever goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Athlone Town at the Athlone Town Stadium.[5]

On 7 October 2010, Ludden scored for Mervue against rivals Salthill Devon, as Mervue went on to win the game 2–1 which would go on to secure their survival finishing four points above Salthill in the relegation zone at the end of the 2010 season.[6]

On 13 April 2013, Ludden scored and was sent off in a remarkable 3–5 defeat at the hands of Cobh Ramblers.[7] On 19 July 2013, Ludden scored in a 4–0 victory over Finn Harps.[8][9] Ludden captained Mervue many times that season, as the club made it to the play-offs.[10] Mervue would go on to lose to Longford Town on penalties in the play-offs, in what would be the club’s last game in the League of Ireland until 2026.[11]

Galway United

On 17 December 2013, Ludden signed for newly League of Ireland First Division side Galway FC.[12] Ludden would play in almost every game for the club that season, including playing the full 90 minutes in all four play-off games, as the club was promoted to the Premier Division.[13]

In the 2015 season, Ludden played his first season of Premier Division football, with the club now re-named back to Galway United.[14] During the season Ludden suffered a concussion which ruled him out for multiple games.[15] Ludden would play a key role as Galway would survive one spot above the relegation zone in their first season back in the Premier Division.[16]

That season Galway United made it to the League of Ireland Cup final, where they took on St Patrick's Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park. Ludden played the full 120 minutes as the game ended 0–0 after extra-time, with Galway going on to lose on penalties.[17]

On 14 May 2016, Ludden scored his first ever Premier Division goal. He did it by scoring from 40 yards out in a 2–1 win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.[18][19] A goal which Ludden himself later admitted was a “fluke”.[20]

On 22 September 2017, Ludden scored in 3–1 victory over Sligo Rovers in the connacht derby. At the end of the season Galway would be relegated at the hands of a 3–4 defeat against Dundalk at Eamonn Deacy Park.[21]

In the 2017 season, Galway finished 10th out of 12 teams which in a normal season would mean Galway had survived. However in that season the league had a change in format which meant the bottom three teams were relegated.[22]

On 13 December 2017, Ludden re-signed with Galway United ahead of his second stint with the club in the First Division.[23] On 4 May 2018, Ludden scored in 3–0 away win over Athlone Town.[24] Later the same month on 20 May, Ludden scored in 2–1 away win over Cabinteely.[25]

On 13 September 2019, Ludden scored four goals in one game, in a 7–1 victory over Cobh Ramblers.[26]

On 3 October 2020, Ludden scored 2 goals and got an assist in a 6–2 over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.[27] At the end of the 2020 season Galway United made the play-offs. The defeated Bray Wanderers 1–0 in the semi-finals,[28] however they lost 1–2 to Longford Town in the final.[29]

Treaty United

At the start of 2021, Ludden signed for League of Ireland First Division club Treaty United in their first season as a club.[30] On 30 July 2021, Ludden scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 win away against Athlone Town.[31] Treaty United ended the season by qualifying for the play-offs, where they would lose 2–4 on aggregate to UCD. That season Ludden was included in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.[32]

Ludden re-signed for the 2022 season, where he would begin regularly captaining the side.[33] On 20 May 2022, Ludden scored two goals in a 2–2 draw with Cobh Ramblers.[34] That season, Ludden played an important role as Treaty made a surprising run to the FAI Cup semi-finals.[35]

On 19 December 2022, Ludden once again re-signed with Treaty United for the 2023 season, being officially named as the club’s captain.[36] Ludden went on to score 5 goals that season despite missing many games through injury, as the club missed out on the play-offs by three points. That season Ludden made his 400th appearance in senior football.[37]

On 10 January 2024, Ludden announced his retirement from League of Ireland football.[38]

Salthill Devon

Since 2024, Ludden has been playing for Galway & District League side Salthill Devon.[39]

Ludden played in all three games as Salthill made it the furthest of any non League of Ireland team in the 2025 FAI Cup. Which included wins over Liffey Wanderers and St. Michael's before losing to Ludden’s former club Galway United in the Round of 16.[40]

Personal life

Ludden’s brother, Ryan Ludden played in the League of Ireland First Division with Salthill Devon during the 2013 season.[41]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[42]
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Mervue United 2009 LOI First Division 28 2 1 0 0 0 — 29 2
2010 20 1 0 0 1 0 — 21 1
2011 27 0 1 0 1 0 — 29 0
2012 19 0 2 0 0 0 — 21 0
2013 25 2 0 0 1 0 2[c] 0 28 2
Total 119 5 4 0 3 0 2 0 128 5
Galway United 2014 LOI First Division 25 0 1 0 1 0 4[d] 0 31 0
2015 LOI Premier Division 20 0 1 0 2 0 — 23 0
2016 19 1 1 0 3 0 — 23 1
2017 31 1 2 0 3 0 — 36 1
2018 LOI First Division 23 2 2 0 2 0 — 27 2
2019 23 5 2 0 2 0 — 27 5
2020 13 2 1 0 1 0 2[e] 0 17 2
Total 154 11 10 0 14 0 6 0 184 11
Treaty United 2021 LOI First Division 25 1 1 0 — 2[f] 0 28 1
2022 30 4 3 0 — 3[g] 2 36 6
2023 27 5 1 0 — 1[h] 0 29 5
Total 72 10 5 0 0 0 6 2 83 12
Salthill Devon 2024–25 Galway & District League — 3 0 — — 3 0
Career total 345 26 22 0 17 0 14 2 398 28

Honours

Galway United

Salthill Devon

References

  1. ^ "Marc Ludden, Strategic Alliance Manager and Professional Footballer". otia.io. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  2. ^ "Galway United's Marc Ludden doesn't regret choosing soccer over gaelic football". irishmirror.ie. 14 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  3. ^ "Mervue Utd 1 - 1 Finn Harps". extratime.com. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  4. ^ "Marc Ludden". extratime.com. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  5. ^ "Mervue United -v- Athlone Town". extratime.com. 29 August 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  6. ^ "Mervue United 2 - 1 Salthill Devon". extratime.com. 7 October 2010. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  7. ^ "Cobh Ramblers 5-3 Mervue United". cobhramblers.ie. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  8. ^ "MERVUE HIT FINN HARPS FOR FOUR IN GALWAY HEAT". donegaldaily.com. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  9. ^ "Mervue United 4 - 0 Finn Harps". extratime.com. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  10. ^ "Mervue Utd make play-off but FAI still ruling them offside". connachttribune.ie. 15 October 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  11. ^ "Spotkick heartbreak for Mervue in playoff". advertiser.ie. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  12. ^ "Dunne makes first signings for Galway FC". connachttribune.ie. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  13. ^ "Galway beat UCD to secure promotion". rte.ie. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  14. ^ "Galway to be known as 'Galway United' from next season". the42.ie. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  15. ^ "Lilywhites aim to close on retaining league crown". rte.ie. 28 August 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  16. ^ "Shanahan all but seals Galway survival". independent.ie. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  17. ^ "St Pat's claim EA Sports Cup after shootout". rte.ie. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  18. ^ "Stunning 40-yard strike seals hard-fought Galway win". the42.ie. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  19. ^ "Ludden magic gives Galway the edge over Bray". rte.ie. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  20. ^ "Ludden admits winner was fluke". independent.ie. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  21. ^ "Galway go down fighting in seven-goal thriller". rte.ie. 28 October 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  22. ^ Mackey, Liam (23 December 2016). "It's three down, one up for LOI season". The Irish Examiner. Retrieved 17 April 2026.
  23. ^ "Marc Ludden signs new contract with Galway United". balls.ie. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  24. ^ "Athlone Town 0 - 3 Galway United - MATCH CENTRE". balls.ie. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  25. ^ "Player Knowing The Rules Leads To Utterly Bizarre LOI First Division Goal". balls.ie. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  26. ^ "REPORT: Galway United 7-1 Cobh Ramblers". leagueofireland.ie. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  27. ^ "Lonford Town 2-6 Galway United". extraime.com. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  28. ^ "Bray Wanderers 0-1 Galway United". extraime.com. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  29. ^ "Longford see off Galway to advance to promotion/relegation play-off final". rte.ie. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  30. ^ "Treaty United's Key Signings". limerickpost.ie. 28 February 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  31. ^ "First Division Round-Up". extratime.com. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  32. ^ "Treaty United player makes PFA Ireland First Division Team of the Year". limerickleader.ie. 29 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  33. ^ "𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞!". x.com. 2 December 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  34. ^ "Treaty United held at home by Cobh Ramblers in First Division". limerickleader.ie. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  35. ^ "Curran hat-trick downs UCD as Treaty United march into FAI Cup semi-final". rte.ie. 17 September 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  36. ^ "Treaty Utd's 2023 squad reaches 11 signed players as new captain revealed". limerickleader.ie. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  37. ^ "'I finish work at half 4 on a Friday and I drive to Limerick'". the42.ie. 20 October 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  38. ^ "Treaty captain Marc Ludden retires". limerickpost.ie. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  39. ^ "MARC LUDDEN". sathilldevon.com. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  40. ^ "Galway United breeze past Salthill to progress to last eight". rte.ie. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
  41. ^ "Cobh Ramblers 1 - 0 Salthill Devon - REPORT". extratime.com. 29 September 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2026.
  42. ^ https://www.soccerway.com/player/ludden-mark/48vwDLaS/
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