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The Men Who Saved Football

The Men Who Saved Football

Author: The Men Who Saved Football

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The Men Who Saved Football is a Dundalk FC Fancast. Mostly just a few lads chatting about Dundalk FC and the wider world of League of Ireland football.
164 Episodes
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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
A rollercoaster week sees Brian Gartland leave the club to be followed by recently appointed manager Noel King. The end of King's short lived reign opens an opportunity for the return of Golden Era boss Stephen Kenny, hopes which are swiftly dashed by his arrival at St Patrick's Athletic. Managerless Dundalk conclude a crazy week with a injury time winner over Shamrock Rovers.
The crisis deepens at Oriel park as Dundalk begin the week with a record 10 match ban for Goalkeeper George Shelvey for comments made to the referee after the Louth Derby and concludes with a timid performance in the south east which sees Waterford put 4 past the Lilywhites once again porous defence. The weekend concludes with an open letter from fans calling for Noel King's dismissal followed promptly by the departure of Brian Gartland. Episode 161 discusses.
A spirited Dundalk match league leaders Shelbourne but ultimately fail to turn possession into goals leaving the Oriel clash with the league leaders as a 0-0 stalemate. A promising start to the weekend ends deflatingly with a very damaging defeat to 10 man Drogheda United. Jethren Barr's 76 minute dismissal followed by Jamie Gullen's set piece equaliser had the Lilywhites in the driving seat only for Drogheda to steal the points from an injury time free kick leaving Dundalk rooted to the bottoms of the table.
New boss Noel King enjoys a dream debut as a rejuvenated Dundalk play with an energy and dynamism conspicuous only by its absence on previous outings this season. The formerly shot shy Lilywhites pepper the Bohemians goal with attempts on target and score two high quality goal. A Zak Johnston inspired defence keeps Bohs at bay while George Shelvey's penalty save makes it a great personal revival for the keeper after a difficult start to his Dundalk career. The Lilywhites now face a crucial weekend with games against Shelbourne and relegation rivals Drogheda Utd.
A seismic week at Oriel Park as veteran Noel King is announced as the shock replacement for Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk's new manager. Meanwhile the Lilywhites take 1 point from 6 on the road with defeat to Bohs and a 1-1 draw to Sligo Rovers as chances and goals remain at a premium. EP 158 looks for the positives in King's appointment, discusses the understandable negative reaction of fans and give an honest assessment of the veteran coach's probability of success.
An eventful week in Oriel Park see's Stephen O'Donnell's reign come to an end as the former Captain is relieved of his duties as manager. Under the caretaker management of Brain Gartland and Liam Burns the Lilywhites show improved energy and endeavour  to earn a 0 - 0 draw against St Patricks Athletic. Ep 157 discusses the highs and lows of O'Donnell's time in charge and who are the front runners to replace him as Dundalk look to climb off the foot of the table.
Dundalk's nightmare start to the season continues with another heavy defeat on the road against Derry City. Without a win in their opening 8 games Dundalk begin brightly before conceding a series of soft goal as Derry stroll to an easy victory. A late Ryan O'Kane consolation repeats a now familiar pattern. Ep 156 discusses where things have gone wrong for Stephen O'Donnell and asks if he is the man to turn it around.
Dundalk's sluggish start to the season continues as an initially promising display against table topping Shelbourne comes undone with the concession of 2 second half goals leaving Robbie Benson's injury time header a mere consolation, while Monday's Louth derby see's the Lilywhites again fail to register a goal against second from bottom Drogheda. As pressure grows on Stephen O'Donnell Dundalk next head North to face Derry City spearheaded by ex talisman Patrick Hoban.
Dundalk steady the ship with the first clean sheet of the season to earn a point in a goalless draw with newly promoted Waterford. With keeper Ross Munro making several saves and debutant Zak Johnson combining well with Louie Annesley there are some signs of improvement in a hitherto porous defence, but the inability to convert chances at the other end of the pitch continues to be a concern as the Lilywhites prepare for two tough games on the bank holiday weekend.
Dundalk fail to respond to an opening home defeat against Galway and suffer a nightmare performance against Sligo Rovers. In an echo of last season's Cup capitulation Sligo settle the contest in the first 30 mins by taking advantage of a series of unforced errors in Dundalk's creaky defence with the Lilywhites failing to muster a response for the remainder of the game. Despite improvement from the low point of Monday, Friday's clash with St Pats also ends in defeat as Dundalk's defence fails to deal with a routine long ball over the top as pressure grows on manager Stephen O'Donnell. 
The optimism kindled by an opening day point in Tallaght evaporates with a home defeat to John Caulfield's newly promoted Galway Utd. The revenge mission for last year's humbling cup defeat fails to materialise as Galway establish a 2 nil lead in the open 30 minutes which they comfortably defend for the remaining hour of play. Dundalk now move on to next Friday's clash with Bohs, with fans wondering which Dundalk team will turn up in Dalymount?
Optimism is kindled by a opening day draw away to champions Shamrock Rovers. After a closed season of radical changes on and off the field Stephen O'Donnell's new look Dundalk impress with a discipline and dogged display that limits Rovers to one shot on goal. With 11 new arrivals providing intense competition for places all eyes now turn to the first home fixture of the season against Galway Utd.
Ep 150 discusses the comings and goings at Oriel over the closed season and asks if fans can expect a stronger squad as a result. We discuss Stephen O'Donnell's gamble on allowing club legend Patrick Hoban's depart to Derry City and speculate on the logic behind the decision. We also discuss first impressions of the incoming members of the squad as seen in their Leinster Cup campaign
With European football still a possibility on the final day Dundalk do what they have to against UCD and score a comprehensive win, but the hope kindled by Drogheda Utd's 2 goal half time lead over Shelbourne dissipates as the dire Drogs self destruct in the second half to see the Lilywhites conclude the campaign in 5th position. Ep 149 looks back and a frustrating season and the subsequent media reports indicating an Oriel exit for talismanic striker Patrick Hoban
Dundalk find form on the field with an away win against struggling Sligo Rovers and a home victory to leapfrog Bohemians and keep the slimmest of Euro qualification chances alive. Off the field speculation about a change of ownership intensifies and manager Stephen O'Donnell hits out at negative narratives surrounding the club.
Despite European football still being up for grabs Dundalk slump to a 1 - 0 defeat in Tolka Park in a lacklustre display in which the Lilywhites fail to muster a single shot on goal. As the curtain falls on Dundalk's competitive season Ep 147 reflects on an underwhelming campaign, if the solution to our defensive woe's require new signings and asks what can Dundalk fans can do to emulate the fundraising efforts of other clubs
Dundalk complete a clean sweep of Louth derbys this season, coming from behind to beat Drogheda Utd 3 - 1 in Oriel Park to secure a second win of the week. Paul Doyle shines in midfield, scoring the equaliser and combining well with Yli-Kokko and Robbie Benson to win the midfield battle, while Daniel Kelly and Patrick Hoban also find the net. Ep 146 also discusses Greg Sloggett's new role in the heart of defence and asks if Dundalk can keep the European dream alive with victory over Shelbourne next week?
After the trauma of Galway's cup exit Dundalk faced into a double fixture weekend with confidence at a low ebb. An much improved first half in Richmond Park gave signs for encouragement before defensive fragilities surfaced again in the second half with Pats taking the 3 points. However confidence should improve after Monday's 5 nil hammering of Cork, as Dundalk take a good performance and clean sheet into next Friday's Louth derby. In Ep 145 we ask, is the race for Europe still on?
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