The Men Who Saved Football

A Pat Hoban inspired Dundalk overcome a plucky St Mochtas to secure a place in the next round of the FAI Cup. Ep 66 also discusses growing fan unease at the prospect of another exodus of established players and the implications for crucial upcoming games of international call ups and a growing injury list.

Despite a bright start Dundalk's defensive fragility is exposed again as two breakaway Drogheda Utd goals see them take all 3 points at Oriel Park. Depleted by injuries, Dundalk are unable to respond and the defeat sees the Lilywhites slide into the relegation zone as fan discontent become more audible.

After the exertions of Thursday's heroics Dundalk again experience a European hangover as they are edged out in a tight contest in the Brandywell due to a controversial penalty. Episode 64 discusses how the seeds of this week's defeats were sown last January and the calamitous transfers that have weakened the squad and made the rotation necessary to remain competitive impossible.

Dundalk go out of Europe with all guns blazing as they batter SBV Vitesse Arhhem for the final 20 minutes in search of an equalizer having fallen behind to two preventable first half goals. Ep 63 reflects on the curious mixture of pride and regret the fixture generated, and also looks to the future and what needs to be done to return great European nights to Dundalk itself and restore the teams do...

Despite being arguably the better team in the first half, the exertions of Europe and some individual errors see Dundalk falter against title chasing St Patrick's Athletic. All eye now turn to Thursday nights second leg against SBV Vitesse Arhhem.

Episode 61 discusses a remarkable display in Europe where after weathering an early storm from a slick Vitesse Arnhem side, Dundalk turn the game on its head with a stunning brace from the sublime Patrick McEleney. We also discuss the growing evidence for Vinny managerial prowess and the need for Dundalk's owners to avoid repeating the mistakes of last year, beginning with securing Perth on a long...

A fantastic team performance earns Dundalk a 2 - 1 away win in Tallinn to earn a victory over FCI Levadia Tallinn and allow Dundalk to proceed to a 3rd round tie against SBV Vitesse Arnhem. Goals from David McMillian and Will Patching combined with outstanding performances throughout the team allow Dundalk to repeat the 'away win' heroics of 2018.

Ep 59 has post match reaction to a rollercoaster 1st leg tie with Levadia Tallinn and discusses the absence of Chris Shields and the consequent spotlight on Wilfred Zahibo's performance, the ongoing impact of Peak 6's recruitment "strategy", and the very different energies surrounding the Dundalk and Bohemians European campaigns so far.

Having established a commanding lead in the first leg Dundalk cruise to the next round of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a 1 nil win over Newtown AFC. A Michael Duffy goal allows manager Vinny Perth to give game time to squad players ahead of Saturday's trip to Finn Harps as a return trip to Tallinn looms on the horizon.

A new look Dundalk make a comfortable debut in the UEFA Europa Conference League, establishing a commanding first leg lead over Newtown AFC with goals from Michael Duffy, record breaker David McMillan, the prodigal Will Patching and Jeong-Uh Han. However a positive evening is tarnished by the breaking news of the mercurial Patrick McEleney's impending departure from Oriel, having signed a pre-cont...

After an impressive opening 30 minutes in which Dundalk take the lead and are denied a stonewall penalty the departure through injury of Greg Sloggett marks as turning point as two goal see Rovers end the half on top. Despite a composed style often absent this season Dundalk are unable to find a way back into the game in the second half and are left to rue the loss of many of their former players...

An emotional night for Dundalk FC fans as Chris Shields plays his last game after 10 seasons at the club, signing off with a win against Derry City. Ep 55 discusses the career of the much loved departing Captain and also talks about another positive result for Vinny Perth's side. We ask who may fill the void left by the Shields' move North, and how the club is paying a high price for the weak lead...

Vinny Perth gets his first victory of his second term in charge of Dundalk with a 1 nil victory over Drogheda United in a game which despite featuring little quality football did show some signs of improvement. Off the field the future of club Captain Chris Shields hangs in the balance as Perth looks set to make a final attempt to forestall Chris's transfer to Linfield, a deal which was struck pri...

After a week of frantic speculations and ten months after his controversial sacking, Vinny Perth returns to Oriel to lead an improved Dundalk to a 1 - 1 draw against Longford Town. We discuss whether Vinny can revive Dundalk's fortunes amidst ongoing boardroom uncertainty and whether he might persuade inspirational Captain Chris Shields to stay even at the 11th hour of his proposed transfer to Lin...

The return of fans to Oriel Park coincides with a loss of form as despite taking the lead via a penalty Dundalk crumble to bottom club Waterford in another lackluster display. We hear the views of fans protesting against the club owners as uncertainty, rumour and indecision fuels growing fan anger at the ruinous reign of #Peak6Investments and the Hulsizer family.

In a remarkable turnaround Dundalk put the trauma of Monday behind them as they hit high flying St Pats with two breakaway goals backed up by a steadfast defensive performance to enter the midseason break on a high.

Dundalk come crashing down to earth with a 5 - 1 hammering against 10 man Bohemians. A hat trick from discarded ex player Georgie Kelly exposes Dundalk's brittle confidence and the folly of Chairman Bill Hulsizer meddling mismanagement of player recruitment and retention as fan anger mounts towards absentee owners Matt and Jenny Hulsizer of  #Peak6Investments

Dundalk rally on and off the pitch as the first organised protest against the reign of Chairman Bill Hulsizer precedes an unexpected 2 - 1 victory over arch rivals Shamrock Rovers. Ep 49 included interviews with protest organizers and participants and also discusses the factors which helped Dundalk shake off their recent lethargy and what exactly a new supporters organisation should focus on as it...

Dundalk's underwhelming form continues as a rotated selection fall behind to a Barry McNamee goal in an uninspiring first half display before a better second half secures a point as Ole Erik Midtskogen scores his first goal for the club. However Dundalk fail to convert from a host of late chances and remain mid tables. Discussion inevitably turns to the owners and the upcoming protest against Peak...

Despite Sligo Rovers being reduced to 10 men for most of the second half a flatlining Dundalk slump to another home defeat. Episode 47 asks why Dundalk have become so psychologically brittle and can the team's winning mentality be recovered? We also discuss the Shane Keegan OTB interview, why David Healy and other Irish league candidates probably aren't the answer to Dundalk's predicaments, and wh...

Dundalk are left to rue the issues inadequately addressed during the last transfer window as two early goalkeeping blunders give the team a mountain to climb. Despite clawing back a draw, two dropped points against bottom club Longford makes a serious title challenge seem remote and talk inevitably turns to the Chairman’s responsibility for the club’s current decline in fortunes.

Dundalk's improvement continues as another 3 points are secured on the road against Waterford. Episode 45 discusses the return to form of key players, the positive impact of Jim Magilton's move to the dug out, and inevitably talk also turns to the recent fan protests and Chairman's media interview and asks will the next Dundalk FC manager be allowed to manage without boardroom interference?

In a week of global fan discontent an improving Dundalk secure their first win of the season over Drogheda Utd. Episode 44 discusses Dundalk's improvement under caretaker manager Jim Magilton, the potential of the emerging Shields + Zahibo midfield partnership, and in a week that saw the game's elite incur the wrath of fans we debate the role of investors, owners and fans in League of Ireland foot...

Despite periods of dominance and creating several chances Dundalk remain inconsistent and leave the Brandywell with a single point and move on to the Louth Derby still in search of the first win of the season.

After a laboured first half Dundalk fall behind after conceding an opening goal to St Pats, now marshalled by former Dundalk Captain Stephen O'Donnell. However the Lilywhites mount a confidence building fightback to grab an equaliser and almost snatch a win. Off field chaos intensifies with the departure of Shane Keegan and rumoured impending departure of Filippo Giovagnoli