4-2 on the pitch, but what was the score off it?

Friday night saw the LWA (LilyWhite Army) step up their presence at Oriel Park with their most impressive display to date and added to the rain's dampening effect on the visiting team and fans.

Surprising even home fans, shortly before kick off some very definite messages appeared in the shed, making it clear to the visitors that Dundalk mean business!



The home team then went on to categorically beat the self titled Drogs in a 4-2 scoreline that actually flattered the losing team!

The result certainly returned the title displayed here to its rightul owners!

It's finally here!

After 7 years of waiting, pushing and hoping, Dundalk FC finally take their place in the Premier Division with a mouthwatering tie against last years League and Cup winners Bohemians. The fact that Dundalk's new manager has some "history" with Bohemians, and that several members of the brand spanking new Dundalk squad are former Dalymount players, just adds to what will be a night filled with drama and atmosphere. Oh, and there will be a great game of football to see as well, incidentally!

Much has been made in the close season of the differences between the pitch at Oriel Park and the natural grass pitches of the other clubs in the league. Changes to the specifications for FIFA 2 star certification meant that Dundalk had to rip up the existing pitch and replace it with a turf that is 7mm shorter. This has cost the club money in installation fees, but also a loss of revenue. In all of the discussions about whether the artificial surface is better or worse than natural grass, very little mention is given to the fact that this surface has resulted in the club being one of the few in this country who are not making losses. In fact, this income can make the club a profitable one. Various clubs have complained and criticised the pitch, but few who have played on it have many gripes with it. It is the closest thing to a perfect surface that this country will ever see, and the other clubs in the league may see benefit in it as it proves a long term success for Dundalk.

Back to the match then, and as Sean Connor has said the pitch has not caused Dundalk many injury worries. The only player unlikely to start is Darren Mansaram, who picked up a heavy knock in the Malone Cup battle in Drogheda on February 24th. The team and staff are hoping that Darren will be back in action against Galway next week. Bohemians have published a longer injury list which could give a small advantage to the lilywhites - unless, of course, it was fabricated!!

The kick off is at 7.35pm tonight, the referee is Dave McKeon and the venue is Oriel Park, home of football.
Tickets have been on sale all week, season ticket sales are dramatically ahead of last year's figures, and "the town" is more than ready for this clash and this return to top flight football.

The lilywhites need as much support as can be drummed up (pardon the pun!) and the atmosphere promises to be electric!

FAI announces Independent Club Licensing Committee awards 2009 Licences

The Independent Licensing Committee of the FAI has today (February 16) awarded 15 Premier Division licences and 7 First Division licences. 3 Newstalk A Championship licenses were also awarded.

The Independent Club Licensing Committee will consider applications from the four clubs that have qualified for UEFA competitions in April 2009.

Independent Cub Licensing Committee – 2009 Licences

Premier Licences:
Bohemian FC
Bray Wanderers
Cork City
Derry City
Drogheda United
Dundalk FC
Finn Harps
Galway United
Monaghan United
Shamrock Rovers
Shelbourne FC
Sligo Rovers
St Patrick’s Athletic
UCD AFC
Waterford United

First Division licences:
Athlone Town
Kildare County FC
Limerick FC
Longford Town
Mervue United
Sporting Fingal
Wexford Youths

Newstalk A Championship licences:
Cobh Ramblers
Salthill Devon
Tullamore Town

Athlone Town, Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Kildare County were given licences on the basis that financial commitments they have made will be honoured within the agreed dates before the start of the 2009 season.

Dundalk FC’s licence has been issued subject to their pitch passing FIFA tests.

The Independent Licensing Commission also agreed a catalogue of sanctions for 2009 that will apply to any clubs in breach of licensing criteria, including pre-determined sanctions for examinership.

Appeals must be submitted within five working days from the date of this decision notice.

Speaking today Fran Gavin, Director of the League of Ireland said;

“Now that the licences have been issued for 2009, fixtures will be issued this evening and we can look forward to clubs focusing on matters on the pitch.”

More than a bus…

Monday 5th January saw the end of the Oriel Travel Club. 12 years to the month after the concept first became a reality. Over those years, countless people were able to travel to away games because of the travel club. Trips were always run at a reasonable fare, without unnecessary delays and safely enough for families to use the service.

What many people may not realise though, is the other side of the travel club. For many of us who travelled on these buses, our fellow travellers became very close friends and even like a second family. When you got on the travel club bus, it never mattered who you were or what you did. All that mattered was your love for Dundalk FC and that you wanted to support the team. It was an inclusive club, any new members were welcome to be a part of the group if they wanted to be.

On my own first trip, I remember being welcomed onto to the bus and into the group. The game was against Finn Harps, in Ballybofey, in the first season that the travel club had been running. Before we got off the bus some of the people who had been travelling a bit longer told us where there was good food to be had, if we wanted to join them to eat. There was a real sense, right from the beginning, of being included and taken care of.

That set the tone for the entire lifetime of the travel club, countless friendships were made over the years which will last long into the future. These are that special breed of friends who will really be there for each other when it counts. That is what most of us will miss about the travel club, it was never just a bus.