Black and White Town

A blog by former Dundalk Democrat Sports Editor Gavin McLaughlin, dedicated to the 2015 SSE Airtricity League champions, Dundalk FC   

[blackandwhitetown]

Lilywhites looking to do back to back titles for first time

Captain James Coll lifts the title for Dundalk in 1995. They finished seventh the year after.

Dundalk head into the 2015 season aiming to do something the club has never before achieved in its history: retaining the League of Ireland title. Here, Robbie Rafferty looks back at the club’s nine title successes before 2014 and outlines how they did in defence of their crown.

1933/34: 4th.

Having endured a disappointing 1931/32 campaign in which they finished 4th as Shamrock Rovers claimed the title, Dundalk beat their great Dublin rivals to the title the following year.

That season, John Smith’s 14 league goals (29 in all competitions) helped fire his side to the championship, contributing more than any other player to his side’s final tally of 39, with 23 conceded, in their 18 games.

They failed to match those efforts the following year though, finishing 4th once again as Bohemians brought the title back to the capital.

1963/64: 2nd.

The start of the 60’s was a period when Jimmy Hasty was at his best as he helped inspire Dundalk to a second league title.

Having finished 8th the year previously, expectations were not high heading into the 1962/63 season but, aided by Hasty’s nine goals (he would hit 10 more in other competitions) ensured Dundalk would pip Waterford to the championship.

A year later though, despite Hasty doubling his league tally from the previous campaign, Dundalk relinquished their title by finishing five points off eventual winners Shamrock Rovers.

1967/68: 2nd.

Four years on from their previous title win, Dundalk again surprised many by bouncing back from an 8th place finish to the top of the table.

Not only would they win the league, but they also claimed the Shield and the Top Four Cup to go with it, Danny Hale starring with 28 goals in all competitions with the Lilywhites finishing seven points ahead of closest challengers Bohs.

Again their efforts for two-in-a-row were thwarted by a strong Waterford side as Dundalk settled for 2nd place and a City Cup win.

1976/77: 5th.

Dundalk’s curious cycle of a rapid rise followed by an equally alarming drop continued into the 1970s as they ended the 1974/75 season in 5th.

But it was the Carrick Road outfit who claimed Bohemians crown ahead of Finn Harps the following year, Terry Flanagan their deadliest forward in front of goal with 11 goals in 26 league matches.

As quickly as they had risen though, they fell once again to 5th the following season but wins in the FAI and Leinster Cups respectively went a long way to softening the blow.

1979/80: 2nd.

Dundalk’s slide continued after their aforementioned double success, falling to a lowly 11th place in 1978. The only way from there was up and that proved to be the case when they incredibly climbed 10 spaces, Hillary Carlyle’s 16 league goals helping to account for much of the opposition and not only that, they claimed a famous double with the FAI Cup too for good measure.

But the following year, they suffered the heartbreak of losing their title on the last day despite ending up with a better points tally than the one which brought them glory the previous May and having set a new record (13) for the least amount of goals conceded!

1982/83: 3rd.

A second successive runners-up spot followed as Mick Fairclough, making a comeback from a knee injury, scored 16 times in aiding the club’s title charge but it was not enough as Athlone Town brought the trophy to the Midlands.

However, Fairclough and Dundalk responded the following season, 1981/82, to go one better and claim their sixth league championship, ahead of Shamrock Rovers who finished runners-up.

They fell to 3rd in the season which followed, despite conceding just 13 goals all season, as Athlone reclaimed the title.

1988/89: 2nd:

The 1986/87 season was not one that Dundalk fans will look back on with any great fondness as they lost out to Shamrock Rovers in their fight for the league title before being soundly beaten by the Hoops in the FAI Cup final.

It was followed up with the best possible response as they did the famous double themselves a year later, beating St Pat’s to the league and Derry City in the Blue Riband final.

But the Candystripes got their revenge a year later as they finished two points ahead of Dundalk who once more had bettered their winning tally from a year ago - and still lost the league.

1991/92: 4th.

A League Cup win in 1989/90 was Dundalk’s solitary success for the season, finishing off the league pace in 3rd as St Pat’s celebrated success.

But it would be all smiles at Oriel Park the following May when a dramatic Tom McNulty winner on the final day in Cork saw Dundalk pip the Leesiders to the post, Peter Hanrahan finishing up the league’s top scorer with 18 goals.

For the fourth successive season, the title found its way to a fourth new home in Tolka Park as Shelbourne beat all comers - Dundalk finishing up in 4th.

1995/96: 7th

An 8th place finish in 1993/94 had very few dreaming of a league title in the near future but Dundalk shocked the country the following season to finish top of the pile.

Stephen Kelly hit nine league goals for a Dundalk side which scored 41 and conceded 25 in their 33 games, beating Derry City into 2nd.

It would be almost two decades before they hit those heights again, a dramatic fall to 7th place signalling the start of a barren period for the Lilywhites.

TITLES WON WITH…

Least goals conceded: 19 (1966/67)

Most goals scored: 73 (2014)

Top league scorer: Patrick Hoban (20)

Least number of games: 18 (1962/63)

Most number of games: 33 (1987/88), (1990/91), (1994/95), (2014)

Worst position to win league from previous year: 11th (1977/78)

Worst position after winning league: 7th (1995/96)

[blackandwhitetown]

McMillan happy to wear departed Hoban's shirt

Dundalk's new number nine: David McMillan. Picture: Ciaran Culligan

By Padraig Whelan

A new name adorns the Dundalk FC number nine jersey this season. The familiar ‘Hoban’ emblazoned across the white background being replaced by McMillan.

Following Patrick Hoban’s departure to Oxford United, David McMillan has been rewarded with the role he played in last season’s double win with the number that represents a club’s undisputed centre forward.

But does the expectancy of stepping into the void left by Hoban worry him?

“I don’t see it as there being pressure on me. We have a couple of options with Jake and Kurtis and ‘Gazza’ O’Connor has done well in pre-season so there is that. I am well used to starting up front in plenty of other teams I’ve been in and I’m looking forward to the challenge more than anything,” McMillan told the Dundalk Democrat as the new league season dawned.

In fact this season, Dundalk have something which may have been missing before. It is something his manager hinted at too but there is a variety about Dundalk in attack that the qualified architect believes the Lilywhites can draw upon this season as well as a continued supply of goals from all areas.

“The good thing about the forwards we have is we are all a little bit different and that could be the most important thing. It means things can be changed up with lads coming off the bench if things aren’t going right and the manager obviously feels we have plenty too,” he continued.

“Last year we showed too that we can spread goals throughout the team and it is important of course that whoever is playing up top gets goals but we have showed last year that we will get plenty of goals across the team whether it be midfielders or defenders chipping in.”

In spite of the number nine on his back and a record of 15 goals in just 20 starts last season, a third of those proving decisive, he is not getting complacent and refused to be too excited when it was put to him that he may have the comfort of knowing he will be first choice to lead the line each week if fit.

“I wouldn’t be saying that,” he replied sheepishly. “The manager has his choices to make and there are no guarantees in this team. I am working hard after my bad injury but there will be plenty of challenges.

“It is a very exciting season. We have the Champions League coming up but on top of that, you are going out there knowing you are defending your title every week. There will be plenty of people trying to knock us down and teams coming to Oriel to make it difficult for us.

“Not many teams have won back-to-back titles and it is a challenge that the team and myself are really looking forward to.”

More than most, he is desperate to get back out on the field. The hunger is evident in the forward who is no longer sporting the protective boot that kept him out of last year’s thrilling conclusion to the season after tearing ankle ligaments against UCD.

That boot is replaced by the right kind. One to be used solely for goals in a season that has the ex-St Pat’s striker dreaming of topping the heights of 2014.

It was tough to miss the run-in with such crucial games. Sitting in the stand being unable to effect it is tough but I had full confidence the lads would get over the line and thankfully they did. Now I am just itching to get back. Competitive football brings the best out of me so it’ll be nice to be back and hopefully, with a big support behind us, who says we can’t go on and top the achievements of last season?” Who indeed.

[blackandwhitetown]

Retaining a title is difficult in the League of Ireland, and it's often the mental aspect of doing so that makes it hard for a team to find the same level that brought them there in the first place. That wouldn't be a concern with this focused group. Replacing 20 goal striker Pat Hoban is another matter, however. Strikers were hard to find this winter and this could hurt Dundalk. In what should be a tight league, St Patrick's Athletic's retention of Christy Fagan may give them an edge. Dundalk's position: 2nd.

Daniel McDonnell :: Irish Independent

[blackandwhitetown]

O'Donnell: We want to be known as a great team

Dundalk captain Stephen O'Donnell. Picture: Ciaran Culligan

The clubs based in Cork, Inchicore, Tallaght and Sligo will represent the biggest threat to Dundalk’s supremacy this year, according to Lilywhites captain, Stephen O’Donnell.

All four clubs have strengthened during the off season and although O’Donnell said he expected the tightest Premier Division in living memory, he expects the winner of the 2015 title to come from that bunch of five.

“It’s hard to call. Two years ago nobody would have fancied Dundalk to challenge for the title and last season I don’t think Cork City would have been tipped to do as well as they did but I’d expect the champions to be one of the teams in that group,” he said.

“Cork have taken in a lot of experience to go with what they had already and they will be very tough to beat while Pat’s have a very strong squad.

“Shamrock Rovers have signed Keith Fahey and he has grabbed all the headlines but they have added Mikey Drennan and Danny North who will score goals.

“The dark horses? Sligo Rovers. They seem to have slipped under the radar despite bringing in a good Danish player and an Estonian international. Owen Heary already had some good players at his disposal and he has signed well.”

The arrival of former Republic of Ireland international Liam Miller to Leeside and Keith Fahey to Tallaght has dominated the off season transfer talk. As a result, many are predicting the trophy to have a new name inscribed on it in 2015. In a poll conducted at the launch of the SSE Airtricity League season at the Aviva Stadium last Friday, only 10% of national journalists tipped Dundalk to retain their title.

“I’m not a bit interested in things like that,” said O’Donnell. “I think a lot of those journalists just concentrate on how many international caps some players have.

“Don’t get me wrong, the likes of Liam Miller will improve Cork City’s midfield and Keith Fahey will do the same with Rovers. I’m not dismissing those players at all but, for me, Ronan Finn is a better player than Fahey, and when you look at our midfield, I wouldn’t swap it with anybody in the country.”

It is that sort of attitude that has encapsulated Dundalk in the past two years and O’Donnell insisted that would not change.

“We had a meeting at the start of pre-season where we spoke about our ambitions and the only time we referred to last season was when we spoke about how great those nights, the EA Sports Cup final and the game against Cork City, were.

“The only way to get those nights again is to work hard and show the same attitude. I don’t think hunger will be an issue for this group but the only way to prove it is when push comes to shove. Last year will be quickly forgotten if we were to lose three or four games.”

In O’Donnell’s eyes, the carrot dangling in front of the Dundalk squad this year could not be bigger.

“Sometimes you can get teams who find it hard to motivate themselves when they’ve given such a massive shove the year before but, for me, the incentives are huge.

“No Dundalk team has ever won back to back titles and we want to make history and do it. Good teams win a title or a trophy every now and again, great teams win multiple trophies, year in, year out and that’s what we want to be remembered as.”

[blackandwhitetown]

See this week's Dundalk Democrat for our 20-page preview of the new SSE Airtricity League season. Featuring interviews with Stephen Kenny, Stephen O'Donnell, Ronan Finn, Gary Rogers, the O'Connor brothers and more. The nation's best football journalists give their 2015 predictions while we also have a club by club guide on each Premier Division side and Robbie Rafferty looks back on how Dundalk have fared trying to retain their title in the past. All this plus a free 2015 squad poster, Cian Carroll's The Beautiful Game column, President's Cup reaction and lots more.

[blackandwhitetown]

Kenny thrilled with Horgan strike

Daryl Horgan goes airborne after scoring in the President's Cup final. Picture: Ciaran Culligan

It was fitting that Saturday’s President’s Cup final between league champions, Dundalk and FAI Cup holders, St Patrick’s Athletic was lit up by the contribution of a man who was born in Galway.

Uachtarán Michael D Higgins’ love for the League of Ireland is well known and, as club president of Galway United FC, he will no doubt have been thrilled by Daryl Horgan’s stunning equaliser which came midway through a crazy three minute spell which decided the outcome of the game.

Horgan’s blistering 36th minute half-volley, which drew the Lilywhites level almost immediately after Chris Forrester had stabbed Pat’s ahead - and seconds before Richie Towell scored what proved to be the winner - certainly excited his manager.

“Daryl Horgan’s goal was worth the admission money alone. He is more noted for curling them into the net but that was a ferocious strike,” remarked Stephen Kenny afterwards.

“He has had an interrupted pre-season due to an injection in his groin and hasn’t had many games but you wouldn’t have thought that today.”

Kenny said that the result would have no impact on the season ahead but, nevertheless, he was still delighted to have claimed another piece of silverware, Dundalk’s third in the space of just over six months.

“I’m very pleased that we responded the way we did. The reason we wanted to win today was because it’s a new competition, not for any psychological reason. We were at home and we want to win as many trophies as possible.”

The game was Dundalk’s final workout ahead of the SSE Airtricity League opener against Longford Town on Friday night and Kenny said he was happy with how his team were shaping up.

“It was a tight game on a blustery day and in the first-half we struggled to get our rhythm a little bit. Tactically it was very interesting. St Pat’s are a very good team but we created chances and Pat’s don’t normally give you too many.

“The second goal was the result of some great set up play by Ronan Finn and it was a good finish by Richie. Ronan was very influential and has been playing very well and we want him to continue that.

“There were some good individual performances,” he added. “John Mountney did really well today and I’m pleased with that but there is obviously still room for improvement in some areas and we will look at that and work on that ahead of next season. Longford Town will give us a tough game and we need to be ready for it.”

[blackandwhitetown]

Three minute spell settles President's Cup final

Dundalk players celebrate with the President's Cup. Pic: Ciaran Culligan

Reflecting on his side’s recent 1-1 draw with Burnley, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said the story of that game could be described by what happened in “minute 30, 33, 43 and 69”. At Oriel Park on Saturday, the President’s Cup was summed up by what happened in minute 35, 36 and 37.

That crazy spell, where the goals rained down in similar fashion to the weather, proved decisive in settling the clash between league champions Dundalk and FAI Cup winners, St Patrick’s Athletic, in front of President Michael D Higgins.

As well as being the President of Ireland, Michael D is also the club president of Galway United FC and he will no doubt have been thrilled by the contribution a player from that part of the world made to the game with Daryl Horgan’s 36th minute stunner the highlight of a game that suggests there will be very little between these two sides again this season.

With the new SSE Airtricity League season creeping into sight, both managers used the occasion to name their strongest possible line ups.  Dundalk, with injured captain Stephen O’Donnell their only absentee, lined up with a midfield three of Chris Shields, Ronan Finn and Richie Towell with David McMillan, who has inherited the departed Patrick Hoban’s number nine shirt this season, leading the line.

Pat’s, who face Shamrock Rovers in their first league game, also named a star studded line up team with last season’s top scorer and FAI Cup final hero, Christy Fagan in attack. Ian Bermingham, making his 200th appearance for the Saints, was named as captain for the day. Kenny Browne (thigh) and Ger O’Brien (hamstring) missed out.

Nine minutes had elapsed before the first half chance arrived. Horgan clipped a free-kick in from the left but McMillan’s glancing header drifted just wide. Dundalk pushed again five minutes later. Towell broke well on the left flank and cut the ball back for Ronan Finn. McMillan did well to step over the pass but Finn saw his effort blocked and Chris Shields fired over with the follow up.

Pat’s improved and shifted the ball quickly around the park in stages. And it was a careless moment from Dundalk that almost let the Saints in for the opener. Shields presented the ball straight to Fagan, 25-yards from goal. The Pat’s striker slipped Conan Byrne in behind the Dundalk backline, but Gary Rogers was quick to get off his line, blocking Byrne’s effort with his body.

The game began to open up and Dundalk should have went ahead on the half hour mark. Finn hustled Killian Brennan, 25-yards from goal, and when Jason McGuinness stopped Horgan, inadvertently diverting the ball into McMillan’s path, it took a great stop from Brendan Clarke to keep the game scoreless.

A great move down the Dundalk left led to the deadlock being broken in the 35th minute. Brennan put Conan Byrne into a dangerous position inside the Lilywhites penalty area and his ball across goal was tapped home by the incoming Chris Forrester, who managed to ghost in behind Sean Gannon.

The game had barely restarted before Dundalk were level. Finn again pressed the Pat’s backline, outmuscling Conan Byrne and toe poking the ball left to Horgan. Last season’s PFAI Young Player of the Year rifled a blistering 20-yard volley into the top left hand corner of Clarke’s goal.

The goals continued to pour down and Dundalk pulled ahead to cap a crazy three minute spell. The impressive Finn was again involved, his cross from the left evading a host of bodies, before falling kindly for Richie Towell to guide home.

The game failed to come to life in the second-half with both sides struggling to get any sort of fluency into their respective games. It was the league champions who looked the better side and they should have added to the scoreline. Towell blazed over in the 67th minute when he was teed up by John Mountney just inside the penalty area.

Mountney created that opportunity by picking the pocket of Bermingham on the right and Pat’s were almost caught overdoing it again minutes later. Brennan needlessly gave the ball away  on the edge of the D but Horgan’s deflected, curling effort drifted just past the post. Ronan Finn then cracked an effort just over the top.

Buckley reacted by introducing Ciaran Kilduff to partner Fagan up front but Pat’s offered little with a Darragh Markey effort in injury time being their only attempt of note in the second-half and Dundalk comfortably saw the game out to add the President’s Cup to the SSE Airtricity League and EA Sports Cup trophies that they collected in 2014.

Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Sean Gannon, Brian Gartland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; Chris Shields, Richie Towell; John Mountney (Jake Kelly 91), Ronan Finn, Daryl Horgan (Darren Meenan 82); David McMillan (Kurtis Byrne 65). Unused subs: Shane Grimes, Paddy Barrett, Ciaran O’Connor, Gabriel Sava (GK).

St Patrick’s Athletic: Brendan Clarke; Conor McCormack, Sean Hoare, Jason McGuinness, Ian Bermingham; James Chambers, Greg Bolger, Killian Brennan (Ciaran Kilduff 73); Conan Byrne (Lee Desmond 83), Christy Fagan, Chris Forrester (Darragh Markey 83). Unused subs: Kenny Browne, Sam Verdon, Aaron Greene, Conor O’Malley (GK).

Referee: Tom Connolly.

[blackandwhitetown]

It was one of those pre-season matches, it was all over the place. The pitch…. I know that everybody keeps harping on about it but the ball was like a hot potato at times. It is hard to move the ball constructively, they couldn’t do it either which is why they were hoofing it when they were under pressure. I’m not sure if that’s the way they play regularly, it’s not the way we play. But in fairness to them, it was a couple of decent goals.

Liam Buckley, St Patrick's Athletic manager following the President's Cup final with Dundalk

[blackandwhitetown]

Kenny happy despite failing to add another striker to his squad

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny. Picture: Ciaran Culligan

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny has insisted he is happy with the make-up of his squad despite falling short in his efforts to replace last season’s top scorer, Patrick Hoban.

Kenny told the Dundalk Democrat that he had come close to bringing in another striker before the transfer window closed on Sunday night but that, ultimately, he just ran out of time.

“We made efforts and we were looking to bring some quality in. We were very close to one or two players in England over the last few days but it just hasn’t happened.

“We have David McMillan, Kurtis Byrne and also Jake Kelly so we’re not too bad off while we have the likes of Ciaran O’Connor and Michael O’Connor coming through. We decided not to bring somebody in who wouldn’t improve us.”

Dundalk will start the season without their skipper, Stephen O’Donnell, who must undergo a cartilage operation and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.  Elsewhere, Kenny expects Sean Gannon and Paddy Barrett to be fit for the President’s Cup clash with St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday afternoon. Both missed the Malone Cup win over Drogheda United with knocks.

John Mountney - who collected the Mayo Footballer of the Year award from Sir Alex Ferguson on Friday night - will also return but Kenny is unsure about the fitness of Dane Massey, who sustained a broken hand in the Leinster Senior Cup win over UCD two weeks ago.

“We will need to assess Dane,” he said. “We’re in no hurry to rush him back. The priority is the first game of the season so we’ll take our time with that.”

Saturday’s clash with last season’s FAI Cup winners is the final pre-season test for Dundalk before the start of the SSE Airtricity League season against Longford Town on March 6 but Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny said he was aiming to pick up another piece of silverware.

“It’s great to be in the habit of winning trophies. There’s nothing wrong with that. We went from being in a situation where the club hadn’t won anything in 12 years to being in a position where we can win three trophies - all at Oriel Park - in the space of six months.”

Last season saw the inaugural President’s Cup between 2013 League of Ireland champions St Patrick’s Athletic and 2013 FAI Cup winners Sligo Rovers with Liam Buckley’s side winning 1-0, courtesy of a Keith Fahey goal.

[blackandwhitetown]

O'Donnell out for 6-8 weeks

Dundalk FC captain Stephen O'Donnell. Picture: Ciaran Culligan.

Frustration was etched all over the face of Lilywhites captain Stephen O’Donnell as he confirmed to the Dundalk Democrat on Friday night that he will miss the start of the new SSE Airtricity League season.

The 29-year-old, who made a fairytale comeback from a career threatening knee injury to lead Dundalk to the league title in October, has torn his cartilage and will require surgery which will result in him being sidelined for a painstaking spell in the region of six to eight weeks.

“It’s the same knee,” explained O’Donnell. “This sort of thing happens quite frequently after an operation like the one I had last year,” he said.

“It’s common to get cartilage cleaned or repaired but I was hoping I might have got away with it because I got through a month of pre-season without any problems but then it suddenly began to swell up.

“I thought it was just a reaction to the hard training of pre-season but it didn’t go down and any time I went to train on it, it puffed up again. I went for a scan this morning and it showed a tear in the cartilage.”

After missing almost six months of last season, the influential midfielder was understandably disappointed at the prospect of missing a chunk of this campaign.

“With a month of training behind me, I thought I was okay so it’s obviously very frustrating.

“The timeframe is normally somewhere between four to eight weeks after the operation. The plan is to get the sorted as quickly as possible and hopefully it will be early next week.

“It’s disappointing as I’d like to get a clean run at things but it is what it is. What can you do?”

Commenting on the news, Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny admitted it was a setback but insisted that he had enough quality in his squad to cope without O’Donnell.

“You get setbacks in football. We just have to make sure it doesn’t set us back too much,” said Kenny.

“We have to drive on and the players we have are good players. We are capable of carrying the loss of players as we have shown in the past.”

[blackandwhitetown]

Oriel pitch gets green light for Europe

Installation of the current artificial surface at Oriel Park in 2009. Picture: Mick Slevin.

There was good news for everybody associated with Dundalk FC last Tuesday when it was confirmed that the Oriel Park surface was given the all clear to host European football after passing the required tests.

The pitch was given a FIFA Level 2 grading, deeming it fit for the second round of the Champions League qualifiers which Dundalk will enter in July. And, speaking to the Dundalk Democrat, Lilywhites chairman Ciaran Bond said the news was a ‘major boost’ to the club, even though it was expected.

“We were very confident from an early stage that the pitch would pass the tests but, nevertheless, it is still a major hurdle that we have overcome.

“We took steps to preserve the pitch as it is in the final years of its lifespan. It has been used mainly for the first-team, U19 and youth teams and we made a conscious decision to rent it out less than what we had been doing. Thankfully that has paid off.”

The artificial surface has been the focus of some fierce criticism over the years but Bond said that the results indicate that it is in better condition than it was 12 months ago.

“One of the tests that is conducted is to show how the ball rolls. It must roll in a similar way to grass and it passed with no problems. Aesthetically, it may not look too good but that is down to the black granules. Ironically, when it looks at its worst is when it actually plays better.”

With the pitch not an issue, Bond said that the club were confident that they would overcome any outstanding issues regarding the stadium itself.

“There are one or two things that we need to sort out. The referee’s dressing room may need to be extended as there is a possibility that there will be six officials for the second round of the Champions League qualifiers but we feel we can overcome that sort of thing without any problems.”

[blackandwhitetown]

[blackandwhitetown]

[blackandwhitetown]

Fyffes delighted to renew deal

Dundalk players Stephen O'Donnell, left, Paddy Barrett, and Gary Rogers, right, with Emma Hunt Duffy, Sales and Marketing Manger, Fyffes, and mascot Freddy Fyffes, at an event to announce Fyffes' continued sponsorship of SSE Airtricity League champions Dundalk FC for the forthcoming 2015 season.

Local company Fyffes has confirmed that it will enter into a fourth season as Dundalk FC’s main sponsor.

The partnership, which was confirmed at a photoshoot in Oriel Park on Sunday morning, will see Fyffes help to support and promote the club at local and national level as well as continue to be the club’s shirt sponsor. The deal will also see Fyffes become the main sponsor of the Dundalk FC Ladies team for 2015.

“We are proud to continue our partnership with a club that has brought honour to our town and returned Dundalk to its rightful place as League of Ireland champions,” said Fyffes Managing Director for Ireland, Gerry Cunningham, a life-long supporter of the club.

“Long may they continue to make us proud, not just of their footballing ability, but of the inspiration and enjoyment they give to our young people and generally to the people in the north east,” he added.

Fyffes Sales and Marketing manager Emma Hunt-Duffy was also at Oriel Park on Sunday and she said the company was delighted to be back on board for a fourth season.

“We wish Stephen Kenny and the team the very best of luck for the forthcoming season and we look forward to working with them in 2015 as part of our continued commitment to promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle across all age groups.”

Commenting on the sponsorship deal, Dundalk FC chairman Ciaran Bond stated that the Lilywhites were proud of their link with a well known global grand.

“I’d like to thank Fyffes for their continued support, investment and passion for the club. Dundalk FC is proud to be partnered with a company that has such a rich local heritage and, at the same time, is a well-known global brand.”

In the run up to Dundalk FC’s league title win over Cork City last October, Fyffes produced a YouTube video designed to help bring the story of the club to a new and younger generation of football enthusiasts. The video attracted 70,000 viewers within two weeks of its launch and received praise from supporters worldwide. It can be viewed here.

[blackandwhitetown]

St Patrick's Athletic 1-2 Dundalk

KURTIS Byrne's 61st minute strike was enough to give Dundalk their third consecutive win in Dublin as the Lilywhites beat St Patrick's Athletic 2-1 at Richmond Park on Tuesday night.

Byrne pounced on a bad error by Pat's goalkeeper Brendan Clarke who mis-controlled a sloppy backpass by Ger O'Brien to roll the ball into the net and send the visiting fans into raptures.

The goal arrived just two minutes after Conan Byrne had deservedly pulled Pat's level, the veteran turning home an Ian Bermingham cross.

Dillon scored his fourth goal of the season in the 40th minute after Keith Ward was hauled down by O'Brien just seconds after Clarke had tipped a Byrne shot onto the post.

The goal was just rewards for Dundalk's play in the first-half with Kenny's side enjoying the lion's share of possession and territorial advantage.

The introduction of Killian Brennan and Conan Byrne at the break spurred the home side on and it was no surprise when Liam Buckley's men drew level in the 59th minute.

However it was the visitors who had the final say when Byrne scored the winner two minutes later as Kenny's side ended a 20-year wait for three successive wins in the capital.

DUNDALK: Peter Cherrie; John Sullivan, Andy Boyle, Mark Rossiter ©, Dane Massey; John Dillon (Darren Meenan 78), John Mountney (Chris Shields 50), Keith Ward (Stephen McDonnell 67), Richie Towell; Vinny Faherty, Kurtis Byrne. Unused subs: Eoghan Osborne, Patrick Hoban, Tiarnan Mulvenna, Aaron Shanahan (GK).

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Brendan Clarke; Ger O'Brien, Kenny Browne, Conor Kenna ©, Ian Bermingham; Jake Carroll (Conan Byrne HT), Greg Bolger, Sean Gannon (Anto Flood 77); Jake Kelly (Killian Brennan HT), Christy Fagan, Chris Forrester. Unused subs: Aidan Price, John Russell, Jordan Keegan, Dave Ryan (GK).

REFEREE: Alan Kelly.

ATTENDANCE: 1105.

[blackandwhitetown]

Airtricity League Premier Division: Dundalk 1-3 Sligo Rovers

Pictures by Mick Slevin.

[blackandwhitetown]

IF there is one man well qualified to talk about Shamrock Rovers penalties it is Stephen O’Donnell.