The Men Who Saved Football

Dundalk overcome Bray Wanderers to proceed to the 1/4 finals of the FAI Cup in a rain soaked Carlisle Grounds. Daryl Horgan's first goal since his return to the club is enough to see of the Seagulls. A Connor Malley first half penalty miss and a Daniel Kelly's 73rd minute effort which was cleared off the line are the only other major moments in a game where the elements didn't favour flowing...

At first glance 4 points from 2 games against Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers should have Dundalk fans content, but as the race for European Qualification intensifies fans will remain concerned about defensive fragility of a team that conceded too easily and struggles to create chances. Ep 140 asks if Dundalk's current struggles are a temporary dip in form or a reflection of more deeply rooted issues.

With a mountain to climb after the 1st leg, Dundalk's defensive frailties surface again as visitors KA weather initial pressure before taking an early lead at Oriel Park. Despite goals from Greg Sloggett and John Martin the Lilywhites fail to find the quality to put KA under real pressure as the Icelanders maintain a 2 goal cushion for the majority of the tie. Focus now returns to upcoming crucial...

Defeat by KA in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League prompts a reflection on where Dundalk and the wider League of Ireland currently lies in the European pecking order and the factors which have seen the league go backwards in recent years regarding European competitiveness. While Stephen O'Donnell remains confident the tie is very much alive the Lilywhites face a tough, though not impossib...

Dundalk prevail in the FAI Cup first round against reigning Champions Shamrock Rovers in a display of immense grit and character. Despite having to endure over an hour with a man disadvantage the Lilywhites manage to protect Hayden Muller's first half goal to enter the hat for the next round in a morale boosting win prior to their midweek trip to Iceland. Ep 137 reflects on the a great day for Ste...

Dundalk see off the challenge of FCB Magpies with a 3-1 home victory to secure over €500,000 in prize money and a place in the next round against Icelandic 9th place side KA. With success in the first round and a winnable tie in the 2nd, Dundalk fans should be on a high, but Ep 136 is a somewhat downcast podcast, as questions remain regarding the quality of the display against minnow opposition as...

Episode 135 catches up on Dundalk FC's recent action with discussion of our Win, Lose and Draw combination against Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians and FCB Magpies. We also look at the relatively underwhelming performances of other Irish teams in Europe in the first leg ties and who's likely to progress after this weeks matches. We also ask if the solution to our defensive midfield frailties might be si...

Patrick Hoban breaks records and Drogheda hearts as he bags a brace to become Dundalk's all time leading goal scorer, before the 10 man Lilywhites comes from behind to earn a point against Pats on Monday. With 10 points taken from the last 12 fans should be optimistic, but Ep 134 discusses the inconsistency and frequent lack of quality that have been somewhat concealed by Dundalk's spirited fightb...

Dundalk reach the international break by securing a comeback win away to Cork City. A Louie Annesley OG is redeemed by a Ryan O'Kane goal direct from a free kick before a rejuvenated Dundalk go on to dominate the second half snatching the lead with a John Martin header 5 minutes from time. We discuss how despite inconsistent form, the race from Europe is now on between Dundalk and 3 Dublin clubs,...

A ying and yang weekend for Dundalk FC as the Lilywhites fail to land a glove on 10 man Shamrock Rovers in an away defeat at Tallaght before getting back to winning ways against basement club UCD in a game in which hatrick hero and club legend Patrick Hoban equaled Joey Donnelly's all time scoring record for Dundalk FC. Ep 132 also discusses the upcoming clash with Cork City and the prospect of lo...

Dundalk's defensive fragilities are evident again as the Lilywhites falter against 10 man Pats. Jake Mulraney's dismissal early in the second half presented Dundalk with a golden opportunity to push on and win the game but it was an opportunity spurned as a sedate tempo and lack of quality supply to Patrick Hoban allowed Pats to emerge victorious.

Dundalk's winning streak shudders to a halt as a rotated side are well beaten at the Brandywell when Derry exploit some defensive errors and despite periods of possession Dundalk produce few real chances. Friday's clash with Bohemians see's Dundalk establish what would usually be a commanding lead but as we discuss in Ep 130 the lack of defensive cover in the midfield allows Bohemians to haul the...

Two dramatic injury time strikes see's Dundalk send the Oriel faithful into euphoria in a game that had looked to be heading towards a damaging defeat at full time. 8 minutes injury time and two red cards help the Lilywhites extend their winning run, but as the emotion of the stoppage time reprieve dissipates many questions remain to be answered about Dundalk's consistency this season.

Dundalk banish the memories of last seasons trip to Belfield with win over basement side UCD to take maximum points from the bank holiday weekend. Goals from in form John Martin and Ryan O'Kane seal the victory in a game where Dundalk look comfortable despite a late UCD rally which threatened a repeat of the open day draw between the two sides. We also discuss the departure of Tim Clancy from St P...

Dundalk emerge triumphant from the second Louth derby of the season with a restored Patrick Hoban providing a goal and an assist in a first 45 minutes where the Lilywhites looked back to their fluid best after some early Drogheda pressure. However the sloppy concession of two second half goals against a ten man Drogheda made a humbling draw seem likely until an injury time John Martin goal saved D...

Ten man Shelbourne manage to frustrate Dundalk in a tale of two penos at Tolka Park, with Dundalk failing to convert from the spot after Rayhaan Tulloch is upended in the box by Andrew Quinn while Jack Moylan makes no mistake after an Evan Caffrey dive wins his side a spot kick. Dundalk dominate possession but can't make it count in the final third against a well marshalled Shels defence with only...

In Episode 125 we look back on the Bank Holiday trip to Cork where Dundalk hit rock bottom in the recent dip in form in a game that is best forgotten. We also reflect on a morale boosting draw with Derry City which hopefully marks the turning of the corner in the team's recent struggle for form. However the game was not without its negatives as Wasiri Williams sees red and Greg Sloggett is stretch...

A last minute error gifts Sligo Rovers all 3 points in a lacklustre game that looked to be drifting to a draw. Despite occasional moments of quality Dundalk continue to struggle for fluency in the absence of key players due to injury and suspension. Ep 124 dives into the stats that suggest the presence or absence of Patrick Hoban makes Dundalk a very team and we discuss the "spiritual" fugue which...

With Patrick Hoban unavailable due to injury, and early Robbie Benson red card tips the balance significantly in favour of visitors Shamrock Rovers won romp to their first victory of the season. While the table still makes pleasant reading ep 123 discusses the strength from stability Derry City and Shamrock Rovers enjoy over the rest of the division and speculates on how the Dundalk squad can be s...

Dundalk emerge victorious in the Louth Derby to bury the memories of last seasons fruitless visits to United Park. In a dogged game generally bereft of flowing football a rare moment of quality see's an Andy Boyle interception release the mercurial Rayhaan Tulloch, who's deft pass finds Conor Malley who displays typical composure to score the winner. A late penalty save from Nathan Sheppard compou...

Dundalk enjoy a positive week with victories over Shelbourne and Pats combined with an dogged defensive display in Derry yielding 7 from a possible 9 points. With Stephen O'Donnell's squad rotation paying off the manager now faces some interesting selection decision in advance of Thursday's trip to United Park. This episode also sees praise for Damien Duff's improving Shelbourne side while opinion...

Stephen O'Donnell shuffles the pack with dramatic results as Dundalk shake off the cobwebs of last week's Dalymount defeat to go on the rampage against a languid St Patrick's Athletic. Recent arrivals Rayhaan Tulloch and Johannes Yli-Kokko contribute to a much more effective midfield while stalwarts Darragh Leahy and Daniel Kelly's return to the starting lineup also help Dundalk raise the bar amon...

Dundalk's sluggish start to the season continues with a defeat to Bohemians in a packed Dalymount Park. A promising start when the Lilywhites controlled possession quickly fizzled out into a scrappy game where Jordan Flores's setpiece strike was a rare moment of quality. We also discuss the widespread anxiety triggered amongst fans by rumours and speculation of a takeover of the club by Hull City...

Despite taking a lead Dundalk are left to rue a first half penalty miss and lacklustre second half display as a late UCD free kick see's the lilywhites have to settle for a draw on the opening day of the season. Ep 118 discusses the departure and arrivals to the squad and the prospects for the campaign to come.

Dundalk signed off in style with an away win against Cup Final bound Derry City to finish joint second on points. Ep 117 features an interview with match winning goal scorer Keith Ward who's signed No.17 jersey we're auctioning for local charity Dundalk Dog Rescue. We also reflect on the season overall and the why Dundalk fans can look forward to next season with a strong sense of optimism.