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.
158 Episodes
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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?
Dundalk crash out of the FAI Cup in a mauling by 1st Division leaders Galway Utd. The Lilywhites concede 3 goals in the first 30 minutes and then fail to mount a response in the remaining hour of play. Ep 144 discusses the questions this exceptionally poor performance raises about the squad, management, ownership and future direction of the club.
Dundalk slump to a home defeat to Derry City as Oriel Old Boy Will Patching returns to haunt his former club with 2 goals and an assist. While defensive frailties are on display again Dundalk do dominate possession and create a plethora of chances but fail to convert until an injury time penalty as the Derry goal enjoys a charmed night.
Dundalk emerge pointless from Tallaght again as a Roberto Lopes goal proves the winner in a game where the Lilywhites created chances but failed to convert. As European qualification hangs in the balance ep 142 discusses if the Lilywhites squad has the necessary depth and quality, or is the lottery of the FAI Cup the only route to European Competition next year?
Dundalk overcome Bray Wanderers to proceed to the 1/4 finals of the FAI Cup in a rain soaked Carlisle Grounds. Daryl Horgan's first goal since his return to the club is enough to see of the Seagulls. A Connor Malley first half penalty miss and a Daniel Kelly's 73rd minute effort which was cleared off the line are the only other major moments in a game where the elements didn't favour flowing football. As Derry City exit the competition at the hands of St Pats, Dundalk will now see the Cup as the most feasible route into European Football.
At first glance 4 points from 2 games against Shelbourne and Sligo Rovers should have Dundalk fans content, but as the race for European Qualification intensifies fans will remain concerned about defensive fragility of a team that conceded too easily and struggles to create chances. Ep 140 asks if Dundalk's current struggles are a temporary dip in form or a reflection of more deeply rooted issues.
With a mountain to climb after the 1st leg, Dundalk's defensive frailties surface again as visitors KA weather initial pressure before taking an early lead at Oriel Park. Despite goals from Greg Sloggett and John Martin the Lilywhites fail to find the quality to put KA under real pressure as the Icelanders maintain a 2 goal cushion for the majority of the tie. Focus now returns to upcoming crucial league games as the race for European football next season intensifies.
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