Change ahead at Oriel Park

The dogs on the street are aware by now that there is change in store for the club and it is going to happen soon. Rumours, as usual, are rife and vary drastically in levels of accuracy.

Current owner, Gerry Matthews, has given his all to the club for the duration of his ownership. This writer was extremely sceptical about his takeover initially but it didn't take long for it to become clear that his intentions were as good as his work ethic and that he was willing to put adequate finance into the club to drag it kicking and screaming from near-extinction to its current strong position. I admire the honesty that was evident throughout his ownership, he stated quite clearly that he was not willing to be a cash cow indefinitely for the club but that he had a 5 year plan to transform the club into a self financing entity. He was offering us something infinitely more valuable than money, he was offering business acumen and his time. For the most part it has been a successful operation, with Dundalk FC now closer to the holy grail of self sufficiency than it has been for a very long time. Thanks to Gerry Matthews, instead of the club hitting the wall and dying a tragic death, we now have a setup that is the envy of the majority of clubs and is in a strong position to move to the next level. Gerry's 5 year plan is up, he feels he has done what he came to do and he now plans to move on to other challenges.

In typical Dundalk fashion, however, it seems that it is impossible for some fans of the club to thank Gerry for his significant input and work with the current custodians of the club to ensure that we make that next step up. Instead, we have seen a campaign of spin and bluster which has diminished the success of Gerry and the board in the minds of many Dundalk fans. It's not clear yet what the purpose of this is, but at a guess it has been an effort by those wishing to take over the club to force the current owners' hands and improve their own standpoint in negotiations.

It is very disappointing to see the path that this process has followed, and it can only be hoped that this is not an indicator for the way that the club will be managed post takeover. If worst fears come to fruition then those who think this season is a low point will see what that truly looks like.

Here's hoping all parties involved can find a way to work together for the good of the club we love. Unfortunately I am not hopeful enough on that point to hold my breath.

Fire in the belly for Rovers tie

Dundalk went into today's league encounter with Rovers slightly fearful of the outcome... at least the fans did! The team appeared to have no such qualms, hitting the ground at full tilt in what quickly turned into a full blooded affair.

Karl Sheppard opened the scoring to put Rovers ahead, giving Rovers more confidence than their performance up to that point merited. Dundalk continued to attack, however, as they had been doing, and their efforts paid off in time when Mark Quigley was taken down in the penalty area as he was about to shoot on target. Jason Byrne put away the resulting penalty to leave it all level again.

The heat increased, along with the tempo, in the second half with tough tackling from both sides. Pat Sullivan was lucky to escape seeing red for Rovers following a challenge on Ross Gaynor, while Rovers had what they deemed a legitimate penalty claim turned down (rightly so in this writer's mind). Fourth official Phil Cashera reported unacceptable behaviour by Michael O'Neill who was sent from the dugout as a result.

Referee Derek Tomney seemed reluctant to stand his ground with Rovers players in some ways throughout the game, but surprisingly it is the Rovers fans who leave this one most displeased with the officials!

The tone of this game was a little testy, to say the least, but if the Setanta Sports Cup Final matches the fire and pace of this one then both sets of fans are in for a cracker of May 14th in Tallaght!

Lilywhites get the job half done in Solitude

Dundalk got over a nervy start in Belfast to take home a win from the first leg of the Setanta Cup semi final.

Cliftonville took the lead after singer fumbling in the Dundalk box allowed George McMullan strike home. The visitors took more control in their area after that, but the damage was done.

The night wasn't over, however, as Mark Quigley and Danny Kearns scored one each to give Dundalk the lead. Quigley scored his second to make it three for the lilywhites and give them a bit of padding on the cushion to be taken back to Oriel in two weeks time on March 18th.

Cliftonville keeper Duffin made it easy for Kearns to score the second, while Quigley worked both of his goals with the skill we're coming to expect from him.

A good performance all around from the men in...black...tonight, once they managed to get past the shaky beginnings.

A fantastic effort from the travelling fans, who were vocal, supportive and well behaved on tour once again. The team, including Ian Foster, were quick to acknowledge the fans at full time.

The tie is far from over, the job is merely half done. The club needs all fans to get to Oriel in 2 weeks time to back the team as they attempt to complete the task of earning a place in this year's Final. No mean feat for a club making its debut in this competition. Get your voices out to bring out the best Oriel Roar we've got for the home leg. Your club needs you!

3 goals and 3 points from footballing contest

Dundalk beat the students of UCD by 3 goals to 1 tonight to take all 3 points from a match that was all about the football. In a rare meeting between 2 honest footballing sides, the emphasis was all on the performances. Dundalk took a 2 goal lead in the 3 minutes before half time, scorers Ross Gaynor and Daniel Kearns. As in previous games, the lilywhites created plenty of chances but couldn't seem to pity them away.

In the second half, a dubious decision gave UCD the chance to pull one back through a well taken Paul Corry free kick that gave Peter Cherrie no chance. Fears of a repeat of last Friday's disappointment in Richmond Park echoed around the ground, but it was clear that this was a different performance entirely from the home side. Perhaps there was a lesson learned in Inchicore, but I'm more inclined to believe that last week was the glitch and that tonight is a sign of things to come from Ian Foster's men.

More good news surfaced doughty with the update on Stephen Maher's injury, with advice for the midfielder that he will not require surgery for his groin injury. Best wishes go to Stephen, along with Eoghan Osborne, who is recovering from a broken leg, Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger. Hopefully the injury list will shorten over the coming weeks, but in the meantime if we can build on tonight's result and recent performances then things will look brighter at Oriel Park.

Lilies put 1 past Glens in scrappy 1st leg

A quiet night at the Oval saw Dundalk struggle to take the lead in a mostly dull affair.

Mark Quigley finally put the away side in front, after a number of chances failed to come to fruition for the visitors.

There was an air of a job done as Dundalk now take a valuable away goal back to Oriel for the second leg in 2 weeks.

A win in this round would reward Dundalk with a place in the semi final of this year's Setanta Cup, so all fingers are crossed.

Hopefully we can pack Oriel for the home leg on the 21st and finish the job started tonight.

First game finishes in defeat, but not dejection.

Gary Twigg scored twice in the second half to give Shamrock Rovers a 3-1 victory over 10 man Dundalk. A good opening night for Shamrock Rovers, but not a bad one for Dundalk as the 10 men gave a good account of themselves in a performance best described as stubborn!

Paul Murphy did himself proud, stepping in at such short notice is never easy and he put in a great shift between the posts.

Although the league campaign starts with a loss, the spirit shown by the team bodes well for a great season ahead for the lilywhites.

A special mention has to be given to the travelling fans who, quite literally, sang their hearts out for the lads. The players and their manager showed their appreciation afterwards for the support they received all the way through the game.

Half time at Tallaght

What a half!!

Peter Cherrie sent off controversially.
Jason Byrne scored penalty.
Gary McCabe equalised and celebrated by taunting the away fans.

And 45 mins left!

Always a thriller at Tallaght!

Yes we can!!!

Dundalk hold Linfield to a 1-1 draw at Oriel to claim a place in the second round of the Setanta Cup.

Dundalk will now head to the Oval to face Glentoran next Monday 7th February.

Can we do it? Yes we can!

Tomorrow evening sees Dundalk take on Linfield in the second leg of the Setanta Cup First Round at Oriel Park.

Taking a significant lead into the game from the first leg in Belfast 2 weeks ago gives the home side any advantage that is to be had for the return tie, but the second leg promises to be a competitive match also. Reports are that the stand is a sellout so the atmosphere off the pitch should match the competition on it.

Dundalk look better prepared for this tie, with a stronger squad and 2 extra defenders available than in Belfast.

Having said that, the players are sure to need that little extra something that only the Oriel Roar can provide. If the fans can help out on that front then the team should be able to do the rest.

With a potential second round tie against Glentoran as a reward, the incentive is there to replicate the performance some of us were lucky enough to experience in Belfast on Valentines night. If they can achieve that then the result should follow, which would set things up nicely for the opening night of the League campaign in Tallaght on Friday night.

Bring on the 2011 season!