The Men Who Saved Football

Dundalk's failure to convert chances surfaces again as Shamrock Rovers emerge victorious by the only goal in a evenly matched encounter. As Jon Daly oversees a frenetic transfer window Dundalk face into Friday's crucial relegation Derby with a much changed squad as the battle for the playoff slot intensifies. Episode 166 discusses the impact of the departures of proven defenders and the underperfo...

Ep 165 catches up on Dundalk's clashes with Shelbourne, Sligo Rovers and Waterford which yielded 2 defeats and 1 victory. Dundalk remain 3 point ahead of bottom side Drogheda Utd and with other teams pulling away the two Louth clubs look set to battle it out in the basement for the remainder of the season, with Jon Daly needing to find replacements for the departing Zak Bradshaw and Zak Johnston a...

Dundalk enjoy a great bank holiday week with a hard fought draw against Derry City and a stunning victory in Richmond Park. New manager Jon Daly impact begins to show on the pitch as Jamie Gullen, unlucky not to score against Derry, ends his goal drought with a stunning brace against Pats with Ryan O'Kane also on the score sheet. 4 point from 6 sees Dundalk move off the foot of the table as they h...

After the high of last week's victory over Shamrock Rovers, Dundalk come back to earth with a bump as Galway once again proves to be a difficult away day. Despite a bright opening, defensive frailties tip the game in Galway's favour as the bad habits of the later O'Donnell era manifest again to see Dundalk go 90 minutes without registering a shot on goal. New Boss Jon Daly has his work cut out as...

A rollercoaster week sees Brian Gartland leave the club to be followed by recently appointed manager Noel King. The end of King's short lived reign opens an opportunity for the return of Golden Era boss Stephen Kenny, hopes which are swiftly dashed by his arrival at St Patrick's Athletic. Managerless Dundalk conclude a crazy week with a injury time winner over Shamrock Rovers.

The crisis deepens at Oriel park as Dundalk begin the week with a record 10 match ban for Goalkeeper George Shelvey for comments made to the referee after the Louth Derby and concludes with a timid performance in the south east which sees Waterford put 4 past the Lilywhites once again porous defence. The weekend concludes with an open letter from fans calling for Noel King's dismissal followed pro...

A spirited Dundalk match league leaders Shelbourne but ultimately fail to turn possession into goals leaving the Oriel clash with the league leaders as a 0-0 stalemate. A promising start to the weekend ends deflatingly with a very damaging defeat to 10 man Drogheda United. Jethren Barr's 76 minute dismissal followed by Jamie Gullen's set piece equaliser had the Lilywhites in the driving seat only...

New boss Noel King enjoys a dream debut as a rejuvenated Dundalk play with an energy and dynamism conspicuous only by its absence on previous outings this season. The formerly shot shy Lilywhites pepper the Bohemians goal with attempts on target and score two high quality goal. A Zak Johnston inspired defence keeps Bohs at bay while George Shelvey's penalty save makes it a great personal revival f...

A seismic week at Oriel Park as veteran Noel King is announced as the shock replacement for Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk's new manager. Meanwhile the Lilywhites take 1 point from 6 on the road with defeat to Bohs and a 1-1 draw to Sligo Rovers as chances and goals remain at a premium. EP 158 looks for the positives in King's appointment, discusses the understandable negative reaction of fans and g...

An eventful week in Oriel Park see's Stephen O'Donnell's reign come to an end as the former Captain is relieved of his duties as manager. Under the caretaker management of Brain Gartland and Liam Burns the Lilywhites show improved energy and endeavour  to earn a 0 - 0 draw against St Patricks Athletic. Ep 157 discusses the highs and lows of O'Donnell's time in charge and who are the front run...

Dundalk's nightmare start to the season continues with another heavy defeat on the road against Derry City. Without a win in their opening 8 games Dundalk begin brightly before conceding a series of soft goal as Derry stroll to an easy victory. A late Ryan O'Kane consolation repeats a now familiar pattern. Ep 156 discusses where things have gone wrong for Stephen O'Donnell and asks if he is the ma...

Dundalk's sluggish start to the season continues as an initially promising display against table topping Shelbourne comes undone with the concession of 2 second half goals leaving Robbie Benson's injury time header a mere consolation, while Monday's Louth derby see's the Lilywhites again fail to register a goal against second from bottom Drogheda. As pressure grows on Stephen O'Donnell Dundalk nex...

Dundalk steady the ship with the first clean sheet of the season to earn a point in a goalless draw with newly promoted Waterford. With keeper Ross Munro making several saves and debutant Zak Johnson combining well with Louie Annesley there are some signs of improvement in a hitherto porous defence, but the inability to convert chances at the other end of the pitch continues to be a concern as the...

Dundalk fail to respond to an opening home defeat against Galway and suffer a nightmare performance against Sligo Rovers. In an echo of last season's Cup capitulation Sligo settle the contest in the first 30 mins by taking advantage of a series of unforced errors in Dundalk's creaky defence with the Lilywhites failing to muster a response for the remainder of the game. Despite improvement from the...

The optimism kindled by an opening day point in Tallaght evaporates with a home defeat to John Caulfield's newly promoted Galway Utd. The revenge mission for last year's humbling cup defeat fails to materialise as Galway establish a 2 nil lead in the open 30 minutes which they comfortably defend for the remaining hour of play. Dundalk now move on to next Friday's clash with Bohs, with fans wonderi...

Optimism is kindled by a opening day draw away to champions Shamrock Rovers. After a closed season of radical changes on and off the field Stephen O'Donnell's new look Dundalk impress with a discipline and dogged display that limits Rovers to one shot on goal. With 11 new arrivals providing intense competition for places all eyes now turn to the first home fixture of the season against Galway Utd.

Ep 150 discusses the comings and goings at Oriel over the closed season and asks if fans can expect a stronger squad as a result. We discuss Stephen O'Donnell's gamble on allowing club legend Patrick Hoban's depart to Derry City and speculate on the logic behind the decision. We also discuss first impressions of the incoming members of the squad as seen in their Leinster Cup campaign

With European football still a possibility on the final day Dundalk do what they have to against UCD and score a comprehensive win, but the hope kindled by Drogheda Utd's 2 goal half time lead over Shelbourne dissipates as the dire Drogs self destruct in the second half to see the Lilywhites conclude the campaign in 5th position. Ep 149 looks back and a frustrating season and the subsequent media...

Dundalk find form on the field with an away win against struggling Sligo Rovers and a home victory to leapfrog Bohemians and keep the slimmest of Euro qualification chances alive. Off the field speculation about a change of ownership intensifies and manager Stephen O'Donnell hits out at negative narratives surrounding the club.

Despite European football still being up for grabs Dundalk slump to a 1 - 0 defeat in Tolka Park in a lacklustre display in which the Lilywhites fail to muster a single shot on goal. As the curtain falls on Dundalk's competitive season Ep 147 reflects on an underwhelming campaign, if the solution to our defensive woe's require new signings and asks what can Dundalk fans can do to emulate the fundr...

Dundalk complete a clean sweep of Louth derbys this season, coming from behind to beat Drogheda Utd 3 - 1 in Oriel Park to secure a second win of the week. Paul Doyle shines in midfield, scoring the equaliser and combining well with Yli-Kokko and Robbie Benson to win the midfield battle, while Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban also find the net. Ep 146 also discusses Greg Sloggett's new role in the h...

After the trauma of Galway's cup exit Dundalk faced into a double fixture weekend with confidence at a low ebb. An much improved first half in Richmond Park gave signs for encouragement before defensive fragilities surfaced again in the second half with Pats taking the 3 points. However confidence should improve after Monday's 5 nil hammering of Cork, as Dundalk take a good performance and clean s...

Dundalk crash out of the FAI Cup in a mauling by 1st Division leaders Galway Utd. The Lilywhites concede 3 goals in the first 30 minutes and then fail to mount a response in the remaining hour of play. Ep 144 discusses the questions this exceptionally poor performance raises about the squad, management, ownership and future direction of the club.

Dundalk slump to a home defeat to Derry City as Oriel Old Boy Will Patching returns to haunt his former club with 2 goals and an assist. While defensive frailties are on display again Dundalk do dominate possession and create a plethora of chances but fail to convert until an injury time penalty as the Derry goal enjoys a charmed night.

Dundalk emerge pointless from Tallaght again as a Roberto Lopes goal proves the winner in a game where the Lilywhites created chances but failed to convert. As European qualification hangs in the balance ep 142 discusses if the Lilywhites squad has the necessary depth and quality, or is the lottery of the FAI Cup the only route to European Competition next year?