The Men Who Saved Football

Dundalk move into third spot with a home win over Sligo Rovers as a season characterized by draws sees only 3 point between 3rd and 8th. Ep 91 discusses a tale of two wingers, contrasting the attributes of Stephen Bradley and Man of the Match Daniel Kelly, the impact of injuries to Robbie Benson and Dan Williams on Monday's trip to Tallaght, and why Dundalk FC fans have many reasons to be cheerful...

The much anticipated return of Stephen O'Donnell to Richmond Park fails to live up to its billing, as Dundalk and St Pats play out a cagey and ultimately goalless game in a clash which both sides seems to not want to lose more than either wanted to win. Dundalk can look to the positives of another point on the road, another clean sheet and an outstanding display by goalkeeper Nathan Sheppard.

Dundalk return to winning ways with a 2 - 0 victory over UCD. Episode 89 discusses the season so far and reasons to be optimistic in the race to return to European football, the polymorphic shape of Dundalk's midfield and debates if Daniel Kelly's future is as a center forward?

Dundalk encounter the first defeat of the season as a dogged and well organised Drogheda frustrate the Lilywhites and take all 3 points with a controversial penalty in a game marred by ugly scenes after the final whistle. We discuss Dundalk's inability to break down Drogs stubborn defence, the Gamesmanship and refereeing decisions that influenced the outcome and the unwelcome reemergence of crowd...

Dundalk continue their unbeaten start to the season with weekend draws against Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers as Stephen O'Donnell's hastily assembled squad continues its evolution. Despite taking the same outcome in both clashes the performance against the Champions leaves most fans in optimistic mood as Dundalk face into the first Louth Derby of the season.

Dundalk play out a nil nil draw against Sligo in a game where the heavy pitch means chances remain at a premium. With both sides unable to find a breakthrough Dundalk will be content to keep their unbeaten run going as they look forward to a double fixture weekend against Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers.

Episode 85 discusses Dundalk FC's first win of the season, as a Steven Bradley brace helps overcome Finn Harps in a victory which moves the Lilywhites 2nd in the table. We discuss a rocky opening half in which a series of defensives lapses presented Finn Harps with 4 opportunities to score before Dundalk's opener and a quick fire Sam Bone second goal put Dundalk in a comfortable position.

Episode 84 dissects the first away day of the season as Dundalk FC earn a point on the road against Bohemians at Dalymount Park with the positive start to the season continuing as Steven O'Donnell's hastily assembled squad continues to gel. We also sing the praises of Robbie Benson and emerging star Steven Bradley.

Episode 83 has reaction to a spirited draw on opening day with Dundalk twice taking the lead against a much fancied Derry City in a performance that gives plenty of reason for optimism for the coming campaign. We discuss some of the emerging characters in Steven O'Donnell's newly assembled squad and ask if there is also a new shape to the team emerging in the form of a box midfield?

Episode 82 discusses the widespread optimism inspired by the return of former Captain Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk FC's new Head Coach and the arrivals and departures of the transfer window so far, with some exciting new signings and the return of Golden Era stalwarts Robbie Benson and John Mountney. We also make an early New Years Resolution to stop talking about the Hulsizers and Peak 6.

The season ends with a home defeat to rising power Derry City. As Dundalk fans bid farewell to favorites Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy, the club's new owners set about the task of assembling a squad for next year with the hope that they can persuade many of the quality players concluding this campaign that Dundalk FC will be reverting to its former greatness after the vandalism and madness of...

Episode 80 has reaction to Dundalk's continuing good run of form with victories over neighbours Drogheda Utd and relegated Londford Town which secured Premier Division football at Oriel Park for another year. We also discuss the rival consortia rumoured to have tabled bids to takeover the club, and the permutations that could see Dundalk snatch European football next season.

Dundalk gain 3 vital points in an evenly contested game with Waterford in the battle to avoid the relegation playoff as the good run of home form continues. Meanwhile off field speculation intensifies with several rival Consortia competing to become the club's next owners as Peak 6 look set to bring down the curtain on their dismal period of misrule. While fans will be hoping the club returns to l...

Dundalk return to Richmond Park but endure another narrow defeat 72 hours after exiting the FAI Cup . Waterford's victory across town pulls the Lilywhites back into the Relegation Playoff vortex. As 3 more members of the Golden Era backroom staff depart over the weekend and the club's owners and administration remain silent, Vinny Perth must rally his troops for a relegation six pointer against Wa...

Defensive fragilities see Dundalk gift St Patrick's Athletic some soft goals in an otherwise evenly contested game as the Lilywhites exit the FAI Cup. The disappearance of European Qualification that a cup win held out forces some reflection on the decline of the Club under Peak 6's rule, and the prospects for further decline or a new beginning under new owners.

Bohemians snatch a draw with a last minute penalty in a game which Dundalk looks like that had done enough to take home all 3 points. Will Patching and Peter Cherrie impress as does makeshift right back Greg Sloggett. However fans must sweat on the fitness of Patrick Hoban as attention turns to the FAI Cup Semi Final next weekend.

Episode 75 has reaction to a terrific performance and result in a rocking Oriel Park as Dundalk's revival continues with a deserved victory over champions elect Shamrock Rovers. We also discuss the two fronted battle that Vinny Perth is fighting, the role of the fans is the team's revival and the prospect of ending the season with a return to the FAI Cup Final.

Episode 74 discusses a rain soaked draw in Ballybofey that continued @ DundalkFC 's unbeaten run, the positive response of Dundalk fans to the current adversary the club find itself in, the 7 stages of grief over the departure of Michael Duffy, Conan Byrne's innocent plea over the Semi Final draw debacle, Shels promotion and the Save Tolka Park campaign, and the Buddhist infused Stoic mindset that...

Dundalk's revival continues apace with a battling victory over fellow cup semifinalists Bohemians in a dramatic game at Oriel Park featuring 3 stunning strikes. The optimism of Dundalk's rich vein of form is tempered by growing speculation on the impending departure of star winger Michael Duffy to Derry City and Episode 73 also blasts the dismal legacy of owners Peak 6 and counts the mounting cost...

Dundalk surge back to vintage form with a comprehensive victory over Sligo Rovers. Episode 72 asks what factors have contributed to the team's enantiodromic transformation in form and also discusses Pat Hoban's superhuman status and the Shenanigan's of Conan Byrne's unswirled balls in the FAI Cup Semi Final draw.

A depleted Dundalk dig deep to recover from conceding an early goal and fightback to secure an Extra Time victory over a battling Finn Harps. Makeshift centre half pairing Mayowa Animasahun and Darragh Leahy excel while goals from veterans Patrick Hoban, Sean Murray and Michael Duffy secure progress to the Semi Final and help lift the gloom over Oriel.

After falling behind Dundalk bounce back to establish a commanding league against 10 man Finn Harps after a Patrick Hoban brace and Sean Murray daisy cutter. However a lack of composure on the ball gifts battling Harps the initiative and a sustained aerial bombardment of the creaking visitors defence see's Dundalk concede too late goals as Harps an unlikely replay.

Deja vu again, as Dundalk start brightly, taking the lead with a Pat Hoban goal only to be undone by a defensive lapse and goal keeping error. Having fallen behind the Lilywhite are unable to rally, as confidence ebbs away. We also react to Bill Hulsizer's provocative comments in the media which highlights just how badly things have gone wrong in Oriel Park.

Dundalk slump to defeat against basement club Longford Town. Despite a bright opening and having the lions share of possession, chances and two Longford dismissals, the lilywhites fail to convert any chances with a goalkeeping howler gifting Longford their victory in a dispiriting night for Dundalk players and fans.

After a promising start and taking an early lead, an inability to keep possession and craft a second goal sees Dundalk slip from a winning position to a draw in a game of poor quality against Waterford. Ep 67 discusses the crucial month ahead as the season moves towards it climax, and reflects on the news of Wilfred Zahibo's season ending injury and the legacy of the club poor recruitment under ab...