The Men Who Saved Football

Defeat in Waterford and the looming spectre of relegation suddenly seems minor affairs as Dundalk FC's financial difficulties swiftly degenerate into a full blown existential crisis as rumours circulate or imminent bankruptcy and the possible winding up of the club. Is the end of Dundalk FC hours away or can the club endure this crisis as it has in the past? Episode 172 discusses

Ep 171 recaps the last months performances which saw a battling performance earn a point in the Brandywell, but Dundalk failing to build on that with two home defeats against Shelbourne and St Patrick's Athletic as defensive frailties surface again and crucial chances go unconverted. We also discuss off field affairs with rumors of another takeover amidst media reports of unpaid wages as the team heads into the final 7 matches in a battle for survival.

Boos ring out at the final whistle as a toothless Dundalk slump to a 2 - 0 home defeat to John Caulfield's Galway Utd. Basic errors at the back and an inability to create or convert chances are evident again. With Drogheda's draw with Bohemians further eroding Dundalk lead of their neighbours, fans face an anxious few week to see if the Lilywhites slump in form can be arrested.

Dundalk earn a valuable point on the road against struggling Bohemians. However with Drogheda winning against Waterford cutting the 5 point relegation cushion to 3 between the Louth clubs Ep 169 anxiously asks, with its tendency to concede goals much more easily that it scores them, does Dundalk's current squad looks like one that could go down?

In stark contrast to last weeks vital league victory, Dundalk slump to a first round cup exit against neighbours Drogheda Utd. Old flaws surfaces again as a lacklustre display sees the Lilywhites fail to create many goal scoring chances while gifting the Drogs a brace due to defensive errors. Focus now shifts to maintaining and perhaps extending the league lead over Drogheda and ensuring it is them, and not Dundalk who face the drop to division 1.

Jon Daly's transfer window moves come up trumps as Dundalk FC's new look team puts 4 past Drogheda Utd to earn a crucial victory in a relegation 6 pointer. With new recruit Jad Hakiki at the heart of a more incisive Dundalk attack the Lilywhites look capable of maintain their 5 point cushion over the basement club thereby banishing the spectre of automatic relegation for now. As the dust settles on a crucial league win Dundalk now face an immediate return to Drogheda for a FAI Cup clash

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 underperformance of our attack as the Lilywhites seek to avoid relegation in a season with many self inflicted blows.

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 ahead of the visit of Drogheda to Oriel park.

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 head to Tolka Park for a clash with table toppers Shelbourne

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 Dundalk remain rooted to the bottom of the table