Dundalk FC Magazine 2020 | Issue 11 | Sligo Rovers

OFFICIAL DUNDALK FC MAGAZINE | ISSUE 11 - €3

DUNDALK v SLIGO ROVERS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH 2020

KICK-OFF 7.30PM

WE’RE IN GOOD HANDS AGAIN FOR ANOTHER GREAT SEASON!

A GREAT TEAM

CLUB DIRECTORY Honorary Club President Des Casey Chairman Bill Hulsizer Board Bill Hulsizer, James Baboulas, David Samhat and Fred Spencer Chief Operating Officer Martin Connolly Finance Officer Elaine Duffy Chief Business Officer David Minto Media Content Officer Gavin McLaughlin Projects Manager Aaron Lawless Office Manager Ailish Kelly Office Admin Karen Travers, Gary Cronin Club Ambassadors Padraig McGowan, Paul Brown, Andy Connolly Player Liaison Officer Des Dunleavy Community Officer Liam Burns Press Officer Darren Crawley Child Protection Officer Aoife Burns Event Controller Regina O’Hare Bar Manager Kevin Carthy Ground Staff John Moore, David Caldwell, Jimmy Fisher and Cyril Moore PA Announcer Michael Duffy

TEAM MANAGEMENT First Team Coach Filippo Giovagnoli Assistant Coach Giuseppe Rossi Opposition Analyst Shane Keegan Goalkeeping Coach Steve Williams Strength/Conditioning Graham Norton Kit Manager Noel Walsh Doctor Dr David Connolly Physiotherapists Danny Miller and David Murphy Sports Science Adam Fox Videographer Shane Taaffe

DUNDALK FC MAGAZINE DFC Magazine Editors: Gavin McLaughlin and Paul Dunne, DFC Magazine Contributors: Colm Murphy, Jim Murphy (RIP), Ruth Hardy, Darren Crawley, David Farrelly, Tom O’Connor, Sean De Loughry, Martyn Hindley, Padraig McGowan Sales: Helen Myers, Jimmy Neary, Roy Mackin, Stephen Neary, Patrick O’Neill Photography: Sportsfile, Ciaran Culligan, Mick Slevin (RIP) Illustrations: Shane Doyle Thanks to: Ray McManus, Stephen McCarthy (Sportsfile) Programme of the Year 2008 (First Division) / 2010 / 2011 / 2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015 / 2016 / 2017 / 2019 Dedication: The 2020 DFC Magazine is dedicated to Jim Murphy.

Note: The views expressed in this magazine are those of the individual contributors and not necessarily shared by Dundalk FC. Especially The Spectator... ©2020 Dundalk FC

DUNDALK FC V SLIGO ROVERS | 09.11.2020

IN THIS

ISSUE 4 Opening Shot

26 EL: The State Of Play

6 From The Dugout

30 EL: Lighting Up Europe

9 Oriel Noticeboard

33 Played For Both

11 Welcome to Sligo Rovers

34 Retro: 1981 FAI Cup Final

14 Sligo Rovers Pen Pics

41 The Numbers Game

18 In Memoriam

44 The Spectator Awards

22 Chris Shields Interview

46 Injury Time: Quiz

24 Centre Spread

48 Teams and Officials

OPENING SHOT NOVEMBER 5TH 2020 | WESTSTADION | AUSTRIA Both teams stand for a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the Vienna terrorist attack before the UEFA Europa League Group B match between SK Rapid Wien and Dundalk FC at the Weststadion in Vienna, Austria. Photo by Vid Ponikvar/Sportsfile

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FROM THE DUGOUT

F

FILIPPO GIOVAGNOLI

or me, Vienna was an understanding that the team can compete with teams like Rapid. In the first group game with Molde, we felt we were competitive and against Arsenal, we did really well in the first part of the game but we still did not have a real understanding of whether we could really compete at a European level. In Vienna, we realised that we can play against those teams, even though they are bigger than us. I was really proud of the players and I think we can be dangerous in the remaining three group games.

I received some criticism after the game for my team selection, in particular the choice of goalkeeper, but football is like that. People that talk after the game are the ‘scientists’ of the game. After a game, it is easy to say what should have been done but it is much more difficult when you are there at the time.

You have to make decisions and the decisions we make are related to facts. The facts are what we see every day, like the condition of the players. Playing every three days for a month is not a normal situation. This can happen for two weeks but not for a full month. In my opinion, it’s really weird and frustrating that we have not been able to prepare for games. I understand journalists have a job to do but they are not here and they don’t know what happens each day.

Gary played two consecutive games and I felt it was the time to give some space to Aaron because he has been doing really well. I believe that a goalkeeper like Gary needs to be fresh mentally. It’s not

just physically, it’s cognitively also. You can say that you have recovered physically but mentally you can be exposed if you play every game. I decided to give Gary a break. It’s not that difficult to understand.

Aaron did some good things. His distribution was very good and he made some excellent saves.

Every player makes mistakes and, of course, when the goalie makes a mistake it is even bigger but it’s a learning process for Aaron and I know he will come back even stronger.

Looking at tonight’s game, let’s be fully clear about this. When Dundalk called me, they asked me to focus only on qualification for the Europa League group stages. That was the main objective. We did everything to achieve that, which affected our team selection, rotation and substitutions. For the club, it was the most important objective because of the millions that come with it and if people forget that we achieved this, I think they are crazy. The other objective was to qualify for Europe next year so if we win tonight we have achieved all of the targets that were set.

Everything after that will be a bonus and it will release a lot of pressure going into the FAI Cup quarter-final and the remaining Europa League games. To do that, we will have to perform very well tonight. Sligo is a dangerous team, they are very fresh and they have already beaten us 3-1 this season. We want revenge and I want to see the team perform. If we focus the same way that we did on Thursday, we will do really well.

During my time in Ireland, 6

I have learned a lot of things about the league and the structure. I don’t think the schedule works for Irish teams who want to try and win a title and also be competitive in Europe. Unless you pick an objective, like focus on the league, or the cup, or just compete in Europe, you cannot compete at every level unless the schedule changes. I have also learned that there is a different style in Ireland than there is in Europe. Eventually, our style will be the same in both. We have changed many things but we need a full preseason to consolidate our style of football and get things the way we want. We have also learned about our players.

We love them and they are an amazing group. We didn’t build this squad but we have been really happy with the players and the way they have improved individually. We want more time to work with them.

This is our final league game of the season and It has been a real pity that we have not been able to have supporters at our games.

We have not been able to feel anything. People have told us the atmosphere at Oriel Park can be unbelievable and I think the crowd would have been a big help to us. I can understand that our supporters are uncertain about some things but I would ask them to be patient and have faith in the club and my promise to all of them is that we are going to fight all of the way for the last month of the season. If we stay focussed, we can make this a historic year for Dundalk.

Godetevi la Partita, Filippo Giovagnoli

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COMMUNITY PARTNER OF DUNDALK FC

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CLUB ROUND-UP

ORIEL PARK NOTICEBOARD LEAHY SELECTED FOR U21S Dundalk full-back Darragh Leahy has been selected in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for the upcoming UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifiers, at home to Iceland and away to Luxembourg.

A solitary point separates the top four teams in Group One, with Crawford’s side currently sitting in second place, behind Italy only on goal difference.

The Boys In Green play face Iceland at Tallaght Stadium on November 15th at 12.30pm before travelling to Luxembourg three days later for a 4.30pm kickoff.

EUROPEAN RANGE NOW AVAILABLE IN CLUB SHOP The new Dundalk FC grey European Half-Zip top is now available to buy on our online store.

Priced at €55, it is available in adult sizes including S, M, L, XL and 2XL. The new beige European PreMatch Jersey is also available to buy in the same adult sizes.

It is priced at €35.

There is also a 50% sale on all 2020 home and away jerseys.

You can visit the online store at shop.dundalkfc.com

GATT RETURNS TO THE USA American midfielder Joshua Gatt has left the club.

After spending time at Oriel Park in pre-season, the 29-year-old returned to Ireland in the summer, penning a short-term deal with the Lilywhites.

The former USA international made three appearances for the club with his lone start coming in the 4-0 defeat against Shamrock Rovers in September.

Everybody at Dundalk FC would like to thank Joshua for his efforts at the club and we wish him all of the very best for the future.

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We’ve Got

Your Back!

@tpireland 10

WELCOME TO

SLIGO ROVERS FC

I

n the final match, Sligo Rovers are our visitors and in a truncated season the Bit o’Red have done well and they have enjoyed a fine resumption since the lockdown.

of the table but to safety and leading a challenge to finish third in the standings.

Five wins from six after the re-start was enough to banish relegation worries and that led to Buckley’s side looking up the table. There have been some shady results since then but they have had a fine season and their record since the lockdown has been fantastic and if the league had started since July, it would see them finish in third in the table and they have certainly taken advantage of the sprint type nature of the campaign.

Liam Buckley has assembled an exciting squad which has secured safety in the league for next year and now has an outside chance of qualifying for Europe through their league position and certainly by means of the FAI Cup. Their season does not finish tonight however before the pandemic halted the season, things were a lot different for Sligo than they are now and everything could have had a different landscape had we carried on.

It should be noted that the season does not finish here for Sligo tonight and they have the FAI Cup quarter-final against Derry City to come which will be fixed for a later date however they have something to look forward to and have a route to silverware and European football and who knows? In three weeks we may finish the season with another clash with both European football and the trophy on the line and a trophy which Sligo have a rich history in.

In that opening period, they had zero wins from their opening four matches left them bottom of the table with things looking bleak however the Covid-19 pandemic hit and after fundraising were able to add last season’s top scorer Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe to their ranks and this allowed them to go on a run since July 31st which has not only propelled them from the foot 11

WELCOME TO

SLIGO ROVERS FC MEET THE MANAGER

LIAM BUCKLEY (DOB: 14/04/1960)

The most experience manager in the league, Liam Buckley has had an outstanding career both on the pitch and in the dugout.

A creative midfielder, Buckley was one of the best players within the league of Ireland and claimed domestic honours on the pitch with league titles at Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic, Leinster Senior Cup and the Dublin City Cup. His career was dotted with spells across the world and lined out for Vancouver Whitecaps in Canada, Waregem in Belgium and Racing Santander in Spain.

He took the road less travelled by most throughout the Irish football landscape and earned two Irish caps in 1984.

When his playing days finished with Athlone, he took on the manager’s role which opened the door to a return to Pat’s in 1998 and he took his first league title as manager. A return to Athlone followed and a spell at Shamrock Rovers also before

24 October 2020; Ronan Coughlan shoots to score his side’s second goal past Liam Bossin during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Sligo Rovers and Cork City at The Showgrounds

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a spell out of the game and he made a come back with Sporting Fingal in 2008. An FAI Cup, promotion and a venture into Europe against Maritimo of Portugal were all port of Fingal’s short stay in the league and after a year out Buckley got the Pat’s job again and once more won the league, this time with League Cups in 2015 and 2016 but perhaps most significantly, ended the club’s long, long wait for an FAI Cup in 2014 with a 2-0 win over Derry City. That has led to immortality with The Saints faithful and after leaving in 2018 moved west to Sligo Rovers after a brief spell as a player in 1997.

Things have been steady since his arrival just over 2 years ago and he has began to bring an identity to the side with a challenge for Europe and the FAI Cup still ongoing this year and with time he can develop the Bit o’Red as a real force within the league again.

18 August 2020; Alex Cooper celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal with team-mates Ronan Coughlan, left, and Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe, right, during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Sligo Rovers and Waterford at The Showgrounds

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PLAYER PROFILES 2020

SLIGO ROVERS FC 1 ED McGINTY

2 LEWIS BANKS Bio: Defender, 23, Stoke-on-Trent ..........................................

An English right back, is in his second season with Sligo after spells in his homeland with Stafford Rangers and Stoke City. ..........................................

Bio: Goalkeeper, 21, Motherwell ..........................................

A Scottish native, the goalkeeper is a product of the Sligo Rovers youth system and has made the number one spot his own. ..........................................

4 DANNY KANE

5 KYLE CALLAN-MCFADDEN

Bio: Defender, 23, Dublin ........................................

Bio: Defender, 25, Ramelton ..........................................

A commanding centre-half, has made Sligo his home for the past three years after time in England with Norwich City and America with Orlando. ..........................................

An Ireland U21 international, who was initially at Huddersfield Town however came home to Cork City, another spell in England followed before the move to Sligo Rovers in the summer of 2019.

..........................................

7 RONAN COUGHLAN

8 ALEX COOPER Bio: Midfielder, 28, Inverness ..........................................

A left sided midfielder, had numerous spells in Scotland with clubs such as Elgin City, Ross County and Falkirk. Joined Sligo in February.

Bio: Forward, 25, Limerick ..........................................

A clever forward, moved to Huddersfield from Limerick but came home to Bray in 2018.

A move to Cork City followed which saw him move to Sligo the following year. ..........................................

10 DARRAGH NOONE

...........................................

11 JESSE DEVERS Bio: Forward, 23, Ballina ..........................................

An exciting winger, has had time with Wolves, Galway United and Finn Harps.

Was one of the final signings before the current season. ..........................................

Bio: Midfielder, 23, Bray .........................................

A hard working midfielder, Noone is a product of the Bray Wanderers youth setup and moved to Sligo ahead of the current campaign. ..........................................

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3 REGAN DONELON Bio: Ddefender, 24, Sligo ..........................................

A versatile player across the left, came through the youth system at the club and bar a loan spell at Finn Harps in 2015, has been constant in the Sligo team. ..........................................

6 JOHN DUNLEAVY Bio: Defender, 29, Donegal ..........................................

A leader in the dressing room and initially with Wolves, Dunleavy is from Donegal and has struggled with injury since his return home.

Won all domestic honours with Cork City and has been at Sligo for the past two years.

..........................................

9 RYAN DE VRIES Bio: Forward, 29, Cape Town ..........................................

A New Zealand international striker, de Vries joined in February after spells in Oceania with Watakere United, Auckland City and time in Japan with FC Gifu. ..........................................

12 MARK BYRNE Bio: Midfielder, 19, Sligo ..........................................

Came through the club youth system and made his senior debut this year. ..........................................

PLAYER PROFILES 2020

SLIGO ROVERS FC 14 WILL SEYMORE Bio: Midfielder, 28, Solham ........................................

A 28 year-old attacking midfielder arrived at Sligo Rovers last winter after a spell in America with a number of clubs. .........................................

18 JOHN RUSSELL Bio: Midfielder, 35, Galway ........................................

An experienced operator has had a good career in Ireland with spells at Galway United, St. Patrick’s Athletic and now in his third spell at the club, is also a coach at the club. .........................................

21 JOHN MAHON Bio: Defender, 20, Sligo ..........................................

One of the most exciting centrehalves in the country, Mahon has progressed through the youth system and is one of the first names on the teamsheet. ..........................................

26 GARRY BUCKLEY Bio: Midfielder, 27, Cork ..........................................

A Cork City youth prodigy, joined Sligo Rovers ahead of the current season after being a key part of the Rebel side winning 2 FAI Cups and the league. ..........................................

16 LUKE MCNICHOLAS Bio: Goalkeeper, 20, Sligo ..........................................

Reserve goalkeeper and has progressed through the youth system. ..........................................

19 RONAN MURRAY Bio: Forward, 29, Belmullet ........................................

A versatile forward, spent time in England with Ipswich Town and came home to Galway in 2017. A year with Dundalk brought a league and Cup double in 2018 and has settled in Sligo since then.

17 TEEMU PENNINKANGAS Bio: Defender, 28, Alavus ..........................................

A Finnish defender who can play across the back four and has spent most time in his native land with Ilves, Inter and Jazz among others. ..........................................

20 DARREN COLLINS Bio: Forward, 20, Sligo ........................................

A product of the youth system and has been in the senior setup this season. ........................................

........................................

22 DAVID CAWLEY Bio: Midfielder, 29, Ballina ..........................................

A hard working midfielder, spent time with Ipswich before returning home to Sligo and was a league and FAI Cup winner in his first spell. Had time with St. Pat’s and Galway United before returning to the club in 2018.

23 SCOTT LYNCH Bio: Defender, 20, Sligo ..........................................

Another product of the youth system and has been a regular in matchday squads this season. ..........................................

..........................................

28 JUNIOR OGEDI-UZOKWE Bio: Forward, 26, England ..........................................

The 2019 league top scorer joined Sligo Rovers in the summer after a short spell in Israel. Had previously spent the season with Derry City on loan from Colchester.

..........................................

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32 SIGITAS OLBERKIS Bio: Defender, 23, Pakruojis ..........................................

A Lithuania U21 international, experienced and has had spells in his native land, Malta, Latvia and Belarus before moving to the west of Ireland in the summer. ..........................................

Light Up Your Nights

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IN MEMORIAM

1958 CUP WINNERS

Dundalk’s 1958 FAI Cup winning side. Niall McGahon is in the front row on the left while Tommy Kerr is second from left in the back row

The club, and indeed the local community, was saddened to hear of the passing of two members of our 1958 FAI Cup winning team last week, Niall McGahon and Tommy Kerr.

Niall was one of three locals, alongside Joe Ralph and Ken Finn, to pick up a cup winners medal after the 1-0 win over Shamrock Rovers in the final.

His father was a club director for 13 seasons and medical officer for 25 and Niall’s early football years were spent in the local minor leagues with Castle Rovers and Spurs, along with junior club AOH. After a campaign playing with UCD in the Leinster Senior League, the right-winger transferred to Dundalk at the

end of the 1956-57 season, hoping to get a few tail-end Reserve games. Instead, he found himself on first-team duty, playing in the last two League games and scoring on his debut against Shelbourne at Oriel Park, shortly after his 18th birthday.

Leo McDonagh opened the 1957-58 season in his favoured right-wing spot but after two games switched to right-half, where he would remain for the rest of his Dundalk career. Niall took over on the wing and goals in each of his first three outings secured an eight-match run in the side before he lost his place to Mick Murray.

However, on the strength of his Reserve performances, he 18

was back in March and became an ever-present to the end of that season, sharing in the glory of the club’s third FAI Cup success, contributing with a goal in the 3-0 second-round replay victory over Limerick.

Only George Toner exceeded his tally of nine goals for the season and in his two campaigns at Oriel Park he recorded an exceptional strike rate for a winger of 10 goals in just 22 first-team games.

Niall returned to play with UCD for another six seasons and enjoyed further success in the Dundalk and District League with St Patricks. His love of football, and of the club, saw him turn out regularly with the reserves until the 1966-67

The late Tommy Kerr, pictured with his wife and the FAI Cup in the Northern Star Hotel after the 1958 final

season.

An accountant with his own practice, he was also one of the leading lights in the Dundalk musical and choral scene for many years and his fine tenor voice enriched many performances, locally, nationally and internationally.

Tommy, who was a native of Drogheda, enjoyed two spells at Oriel Park and supplied Hughie Gannon with the cross for the vital goal that beat Rovers in front of 20,000 people at Dalymount Park.

A tricky winger who could play on both flanks, he had a good right-footed shot and specialised in free-kicks around the penalty box. After his debut in the 1954-55 season opener against Bohemians in the City Cup, he competed with Pa McCabe for the left-wing spot and finished the year with sole possession of the no 11 shirt.

He didn’t rejoin Dundalk until after Christmas 1957, taking the place of Mick Murray on the right-wing, and making his debut on the same occasion

as Hughie Gannon. When Niall McGahon was restored to first-team duty in March and George Hoey was injured, Tommy finally started in his favourite left-wing spot, and on April 20th, 1958 was the proud winner of an FAI Cup final winner’s medal after Shamrock Rovers were defeated 1-0.

The Irish Independent stated that he ‘gave Mick Burke a troublesome afternoon and his delightfully accurate crosses were a constant source of 19

worry for the Rovers defence’ and he played a key role in the two decisive moments of the game. His centre resulted in the winning goal from Gannon and minutes later he conceded a penalty, missed by the usually reliable Liam Hennessy. After his Dundalk spell he returned to play with the ambitious Drogheda AFC, helping them to full League of Ireland status.

Tommy played in their historic first LOI fixture in an August City Cup match at Oriel Park when the newcomers nearly caused a huge upset, going down on a 4-3 scoreline to the League title-holders after being 3-2 ahead. They recorded their first victory on the following weekend at Flower Lodge against Cork Hibernians and Tommy scored from a penalty in the 3-1 win.

Under the management of ex-Ireland International Peter Farrell, Drogheda just avoided the re-election area. Tommy contributed three League goals and was released at the end of the season.

OUR GAME KNOWS YOUR NAME

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THE OFFICIAL MATCH BALL OF THE 2020 SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE, FEATURING BESPOKE BALLS MADE FOR EACH CLUB.

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FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

CHRIS SHIELDS

I

t was definitely a case of so near, so far in Austria on Thursday night and to have left Vienna with no points was very frustrating. We gave everything, even getting it back to a goal right at the death, so to have taken nothing out of it is really tough to take.

We got off to a great start.

Their keeper slipped but Pat Hoban will take it and it was brilliant for him, personally, to score a goal in the group stages. I’ve played that sort of pass a few times in my career and getting the ball into the box early was something that we spoke about during our video analysis in the build-up to the game. It worked out to a tee and it’s always nice when something you’ve worked on during the week comes off on the pitch. I’m sure Shane Keegan enjoyed it. He pointed it out on the video so it was something that was in my head.

Apart from the goal, I thought we started really well and settled into the game. We were disappointed to go in level at half-time because I thought we had done enough to be in front at the break but there was definitely a sense that there were more goals there for us and that we were well in the game. Even when we went 2-1 down, there wasn’t any great panic and we knew we would get another chance. Davy did well to win the penalty and we got that bit of luck when it went in.

Unfortunately, luck just went against us when Greg Sloggett’s header flew just wide. They’re the fine margins

in Europe. I know it’s tough, and I wasn’t the one up heading the ball, but you can’t pass up chances like that at this level.

If that had gone in, I think we would have gone on to win it. It was so unlucky for Greg because he had a great game.

Their third goal was a killer and it was hard to bounce back from that. You can’t gift goals like we have done recently, especially in Europe.

At this level, you’re going to be punished. This standard of football is ruthless and you can’t give teams a yard of space.

I think the performance showed the potential that’s in this group of players. We built on what we did on Matchday 1 against Molde. You can maybe write off the Arsenal game because they operate at a different level but we’ve really contested the games against Molde and Rapid Vienna and we should have taken something out of both games. The younger lads in the squad who are playing in the group stages for the first time - the likes of Darragh Leahy, Greg Sloggett and even 23

Mickey Duffy - can take great confidence from how they have performed and went toe-totoe with players you normally watch in the Europa League on a Thursday night. We’ve competed with them and it’s razor-thin chances that have separated our games. We definitely feel that we can take something from the past three games. We know what all of the teams are about and we have a grasp of how they all play.

From my own point of view, it’s nice to get messages on social media and people contacting you to say you’ve played well. I’m not really one for retweeting stuff about myself. I’ll let the club do that!

I might have had a good game but, ultimately, it doesn’t mean that much.

Our focus is now on qualifying for Europe again. It’s been tough going from Thursday to Sunday for the past three weeks so having an extra day’s recovery has worked in our favour. We know what we have to do this evening and we intend to do it, whether that’s through the ball being flicked over the line by somebody’s knee or calf! The performance will almost go out the window and the game is almost like a cup tie where it’s all about getting the job done.

Unfortunately, I’m suspended but we have enough experience in the squad. I missed the Europa League playoff against KI and the lads got the job done and I don’t see it being any different tonight.

Enjoy the game.

Chris Shields

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UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE

THE STATE OF PLAY Martyn Hindley gives a review of the recent UEFA Europa League group stage.

T

he Norwegian press breathed a collective sigh of relief after the first round of matches in the UEFA Europa League. Nettavision berated Molde for “a deplorable first half” away to Dundalk in Tallaght and stated that they had taken “a cold shower” before coach Erling Moe delivered a typically understated complaint about what had happened before his eyes and it had the desired effect, according to a Bergens Tidende report.

“I was far from happy with the first half,” Moe confirmed to Norwegian broadcaster TV2 after the Matchday 1 encounter. “We couldn’t find any rhythm and were cowardly, unable to exploit space on the field through the transitions. I am much more satisfied with what I saw in the second half where we took greater care and managed the game much better.”

Match-winning goalscorer Ohi Omoijuanfo agreed.

“It tastes good with three points, but we were not very good in the first half and came under a lot of pressure. They pushed us

at the end but that’s natural when we are looking to preserve a lead.”

Arteta respectful of Lilywhites On matchday two at an empty Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta made several changes to his Arsenal side which would prove fruitful as the re-rotated selection went on to win 1-0 at Manchester United three days later. Despite having given youth a chance against Dundalk in a 3-0 win, the Spaniard demanded respect from his charges for their League of Ireland opponents in north London.

22 October 2020; Players of both sides await the delivery of a corner during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Dundalk and Molde FK at Tallaght Stadium

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This column was scribed ahead of Thursday’s trip to the Austrian capital, but Rapid Vienna had already done enough over the first two matches to suggest that they could be a handful in this section.

29 October 2020; Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta during the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Arsenal and Dundalk at the Emirates Stadium

“We made it look easy because we were very disciplined, we took it seriously and we were at it right from the beginning,” said the Gunners’ boss. The danger is when you are not 100 per cent and any team can cause you problems.

committed team, the way they go about their work and they tried hard in the last few months, I am happy to beat them.”

Rapid improvements sought by our Viennese group-mates

Rapid stand only two points behind Red Bull Salzburg after six rounds of the Austrian Bundesliga but were unable to convert that form into points during two differing showings on the continental stage had given them the lead in the opener against Arsenal but David Luiz squared things up and then Mikel Arteta had the luxury of being able to bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the bench to land the winner four minutes later. In front of 600 people on the artificial turf in Norway, they then went down to another winner from Omoijuanfo seven days later.

“We knew that they would be able to block again and again and we had to do better, we were very insistent in the way we attacked, we put the right balls in at the right positions and after that we managed the situation, overall we gave a chance to the players who have not had played many minutes this season and that’s really positive as they showed they are well prepared and able to play.

“I didn’t know how they would play, they have played a 4-3-3 all season and I knew they could come back after what we have seen over the last few weeks and play with five at the back, we were prepared for that but they were a really

22 October 2020; Taxiarchis Fountas capitalised on Arsenal goalkeeperLeno’s error

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Champions of Ireland, we know what we are.

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POT 4 TEAMS

LIGHTING UP EUROPE Martyn Hindley gives a review of recent UEFA Europa League group ‘Pot 4’ teams.

A

s Dundalk were warming up for their match against Arsenal in the Emirates Stadium, their opponents were busy making José Mourinho’s season just that bit more complicated. Royal Antwerp – who entered the UEFA Europa League draw with a co-efficient ranking almost one whole point lower than Dundalk – celebrated a 1-0 home win against Premier League Tottenham thanks to a goal from Israel’s Lior Rafaelov.

The success propelled them to the Group J summit, with the Belgians already having staged a secondhalf comeback to defeat Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria. It’s proof that clubs from Pot 4 of the draw can spring a surprise and it isn’t

29 October 2020; Lior Refaelov wheels away after scoring what turned out to be the only goal of the game between Royal Antwerp and Tottenham

the only such example of the competitiveness of this phase.

CSKA Sofia boast the lowest ranking of the 48 clubs still standing and yet, they have already managed a point having shared the spoils with Berne’s Young Boys little over a week ago. And what about the Austrian upstarts

Wolfsberger? Their 35 yearold skipper Michael Liendl nailed two of his side’s three penalties en route to a hat-trick as Feyenoord’s 50th anniversary of their European Cup win turned into an annus horribilis in Rotterdam as the rookies turned them over 4-1 on their own patch.

No points, but no despair either Of course, co-efficient rankings are improved both by experience and results, so it stands to reason that competing as a Pot 4 club is a challenge. Ukrainian side Zorya Lugansk, Lech Poznan of Poland and Rijeka, of Croatia, all suffered backto-back defeats at the start of the Group Stage as with Sivasspor, but the latter are buoyed by having found the net four times thus far in losses away to Villarreal and the more seasoned Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

30

Omonia have a point after an opening draw in Thessaloniki against PAOK, where they had led at half-time. They would also surge ahead against 1988 European champions PSV Eindhoven on home soil on matchday 2 only for Donyell Malen to level things up and then pick the Cypriots’ pockets in the second minute of stoppage time.

French flair… inconsistently applied Lille and Nice are both surprise entrants into pot 4 although the former don’t have to go too far back to revisit dramatic European successes; a Champions League upstaging of Manchester United and winning in the San Siro against AC Milan. It’s no shock therefore to see Lille poach four points from the first two matches, pocketing a stunning 4-1 success from their trip to Sparta Prague and a draw against Celtic.

29 October 2020; Mohamed Elyounoussi scored twice but Celtic were held by Lille

For their part, Nice bounced back from a 6-2 opening thrashing at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen to then record a win against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, a match played in the emotional backdrop of the terror attacks in the city.

Pot 4 clubs always need to go that one step further to achieve on the continental stage but this season to date, there are plenty of good signs for the relative rookies of the Europa League Group Stage.

Nice v Hapoel Be’er Sheva

Donyell Malen

31

SUPPORTERS

PATREON MEMBERSHIP

In early June, Dundalk FC launched a new official membership scheme, aimed at growing and improving the relationship between the club, our supporters and the local community.

Since then, the uptake has been fantastic with over 240 members signed up thus far.

Like every business, COVID-19 has had a major, detrimental effect on the club’s plans for the year. In order to respond to the loss of match night earnings and sponsorship, we decided to introduce a high-quality membership service that we hope our fans and the local community will support.

For a monthly subscription, members will receive exclusive access to digital content on the Dundalk FC Patreon page that will bring them closer to everything

that happens at Oriel Park.

On top of that, members will also receive a host of benefits from the club and our selected community partners.

How much will it cost? €15 a month.

The fee is payable on joining and will then be charged on the first of every month. *Please note that prices exclude Patreon VAT rate of 23%.

How do I access it?

The content will be housed on the Dundalk FC Patreon page. www.patreon.com/dundalkfc What exactly do I get for my money?

Exclusive members-only digital content and a host of other benefits.

32

What are the other benefits?

Dundalk FC Membership Card and Certificate Members sign-up pack includes: – DFC Snood – DFC Scarf – DFC Personalised Mug A 10% discount in the Dundalk FC Club Shop.

Discount offers at selected community partners.

Free monthly Dundalk FC surprise.

Monthly members draw.

Monthly members newsletter.

Exclusive access to members events. *More benefits will be added when the current restrictions around COVID-19 are eased.

How do I sign up?

Simply visit: www.patreon.com/dundalkfc

PLAYED FOR BOTH

KEITH WARD

O

ne of the more colourful characters to have played for both sides tonight was midfielder Keith Ward.

Widely regarded for his talent as a playmaker, Ward has a bubbly character and one who has been embraced throughout his career into every club and became part of the fabric of the club.

A player for UCD and was part of the fantastic Students side which gained promotion with some swagger back in 2009 winning the first division alongside players such as Ronan Finn, Ciaran Kilduff and Greg Bolger to name a few. That gave him a chance to showcase his talents in the Premier Division which led him to attracting the attention of numerous clubs including Dundalk where he chose to join.

In 2011, he had a good season and helped the Lilywhites reach the Setanta Cup final however a midtable finish and no silverware combined with a change of manager saw him venture on to Bohemians for

2012 and he played a key role in keeping them in the division.

Stephen Kenny’s appointment at Dundalk saw him make the return to Oriel and he was one of Kenny’s first signings in the revolution.

He immediately nailed down a position in the team and his passing as well as guile was something which helped the side launch an unexpected title challenge. A rupture of his cruciate against St. Patrick’s Athletic in June 2013 saw him miss 11 months of action however he returned and played a part in our league title win in 2014.

One season at The Showgrounds followed under

33

Owen Heary and this allowed him to show his talents in the west in what was an up and down season for the side however Ward found consistency and Kenny Shields noticed him to take him to Derry City in 2016.

After a year north of the border, he has made Dalymount Park his home once more at Bohemians and has helped them become a consistent force at the upper echelons of the table. Still only 30 and an infectious character, Wardy will be around the league for years to come and is fondly remembered by both Dundalk and Sligo as a former player.

RETRO: 1981

MICK’S UNFORGETTABLE YEAR!

Mick Fairclough

Padraig McGowan looks back at the 1981 FAI Cup final between Dundalk FC and tonight’s opponents, Sligo Rovers, a game which capped an unforgettable year for Mick Fairclough.

A

s I was sitting down to write this piece for tonight’s programme, it was announced that both Sean Murray and Daniel Cleary had been nominated for the SSE Airtricity SWAI Player of the Month award for October.

It’s well-deserved recognition for both players; Dan’s excellent defensive play earning him the nomination and, of course, Sean’s goalscoring escapades in the Europa League being the highlight of his recent performances! The Lilywhites

midfielder scored crucial goals against Sheriff Tiraspol and KI Klaksvik in the Europa League qualifiers and again against Molde FK on MD1 of the Europa League group stages.

Sean’s goalscoring exploits mean that he is only the second-ever player in the club’s history to score goals in three consecutive European games, with one of my boyhood heroes, Mick Fairclough, being the first!

Mick’s run came in the European Cup Winners Cup back in 1981. He scored in both legs of the win against Icelandic side Fram Reykjavik while he 34

also bagged the equalising goal in the home leg of the glamour tie against Tottenham Hotspur! (Hopefully, there’ll be more about that in the Arsenal programme although I’d imagine that editor permission will be required on that front!)

After spending the 1970/71 season with Drogheda United, an 18-year-old Fairclough was signed by Huddersfield Town in August 1971. In September 1973, as he was terrorising the Walsall defence during a league game, one of the opposition’s defenders decided he’d taken enough of Mick’s twists and

turns and planted his boot on the side of Fairclough’s knee.

The injury was a bad one; a detached medial ligament completely damaging the cruciate ligament.

After spending time in the hospital, Mick was told that his football career was over and in 1974, aged just 22, he returned to his hometown of Drogheda and gradually started to piece his life back together.

Four years later, in 1978, a chance meeting with Jim McLaughlin outside a chemist shop in Drogheda paved the way for Mick’s return to football.

Jim suggested that Mick should get in touch with the legendary Glentoran and Northern Ireland physio, Bobby McGregor, and it proved to be the catalyst for Mick’s comeback.

McGregor worked his magic on Fairclough and in March 1980, six years after he was officially written off, Mick returned to top-flight football with reigning League of Ireland champions Dundalk. His first act was to come off the bench and nod home a priceless equaliser against Shamrock Rovers at Milltown.

Dundalk finished the 1979/80 season as runners up, trailing Limerick by just a single point at the season’s end, but during the following campaign, 1980/81, Mick hit the headlines, both domestically

and in Europe!

That brings us nicely to the connection with this evening’s visitors...

Dundalk qualified for the European Cup Winners Cup by beating Sligo Rovers in the 1981 FAI Cup final at Dalymount Park. The Lilywhites finished the league season six points behind first-time league champions, Athlone Town, then managed by a certain Turlough O’Connor, but collected 35

RETRO: 1981

MICK’S UNFORGETTABLE YEAR! silverware that January, winning the League Cup by defeating Galway Rovers on penalties after two scoreless legs.

The victorious 1980/81 FAI Cup campaign began with a hard-fought 1-0 win against non-league side Hammond Lane in the third round and replays were needed at Oriel Park in the fourth round and the quarter-final against St Patrick’s Athletic and Drogheda United respectively.

Victories in those rounds set up a semi-final showdown with Finn Harps at Milltown on April 5th, 1981. Prior to the game, Fairclough’s old knee injury flared up and he was only passed fit to play before the match. The gamble Mick paid off, though, and with just 13 minutes on the clock Willie Crawley’s shot was parried by the Harps ‘keeper and Fairclough was on hand to convert the rebound.

Harps finished the game with 10 men when Con McLoughlin was sent off after what can only be described as a ‘dispute’ with Dermot Keely and Dundalk saw it out to qualify for their third FAI Cup final in the space of five years!

The decider took place at a windswept Dalymount on Sunday, April 26th 1981, with Dundalk starting out as strong favourites. Keely captained the side, forming part of the legendary back five of Blackmore, McConville, Lawlor, Keely and Dunning.

The high winds put paid to any prospect of an attractive game of football and disaster almost struck in the first minute when Keely and McConville clashed heads as they both went to clear a ball in the corner! As a result, Tommy Mac sported

Martin Lawlor and Jim McLaughlin with the FAI Cup

various bandages for the remainder of the game while Keely played on with a nasty cut above his left eye which required a number of stitches afterwards. Needless to say, Dermot would not contemplate 36

leaving the field of play during the match for treatment!

The first half was a fairly even and nondescript affair with Sligo probably having the best chance to open the scoring.

Vinny McKenna’s back pass fell

short and Harry McLoughlin ended up going through on goal but Blackmore made a great save to deny the Bit o’Red. Dundalk’s best chance fell to Sean Byrne whose shot was well saved by Declan McIntyre.

The deadlock was broken after just seven minutes of the second half when Dundalk, attacking the school end, won a corner on the Connaught Street side of the ground and John Archbold’s delivery was caught by the strong breeze and flew straight into the back of the Sligo net.

I’ve always felt that Sean Byrne contributed greatly to the goal. Positioning himself right in front of McIntyre, it left the Sligo Rovers goalkeeper unsighted and he totally misjudged the flight of the ball!

Nineteen-year-old Charlie McGeever was probably Sligo’s best player on the day and he saw an excellent header tipped

over the bar by Blackmore as Rovers sought an elusive equaliser. Later in the half, he also had a shot parried away by the Lilywhites goalkeeper with the arch predator, Brendan Bradley, blazing the rebound wide. As it turned out, that was probably Sligo’s best chance of levelling the game.

With the game heading into the concluding stages, and Sligo pressing forward in numbers, Fairclough seized his chance.

Sean Byrne cleared a long ball from the edge of his box and Mick picked up possession just inside the Sligo half.

With only Paddy Sheridan for company, Fairclough eluded the centre-back’s despairing lunge and his pace brought him through on goal with only McIntyre to beat. The ball bobbled just as he went to connect but he managed to lift it over the keeper and even though he was upended in 37

the resulting collision, the ball nestled in the back of the Sligo net.

The goal ensured that the cup returned to the border for the third time in five years but after losing five previous finals, it was more heartbreak for Sligo Rovers. They finally made the breakthrough three years later, bringing the cup west for the first time by beating Bohemians in the final.

For Fairclough, it was a personal triumph. Ten years earlier he lined out as an 18-year-old for Drogheda United in the 1971 FAI Cup final against Limerick, the Drogs losing after a replay. Now, he had not only confounded medical advice by coming back to play senior football after a terrible injury but had also won an FAI Cup medal and scored a goal in the final to boot!

To be continued…

2020 SEASON

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winning penalty saves?2

Premier Division 2 play for? does Cian Coleman Who 7: Premier Division Who did Dundalk play in their final home league game 8: does Cian Coleman play for?

Who 7: Who did Dundalk play in their final home league game 8: of 2016? of 2016?

Which EPL side have agreed to sign Shamrock Rovers' 9: Which EPL side have agreed to sign Shamrock Rovers' 9: Gavin Gavin Bazunu Bazunu next next summer? summer?

2018_24Sligo60_54_55.qxp_dfc15 13.10.18 13:48 Page 2

FAI FAI Cup Cup Who scored a Goal of the Season contender for Bohemians in in their their FAI FAI Cup Cup semi-final semi-final defeat? defeat?

Bohemians Who did did UCD UCD beat beat after after extra extra time time in in the the FAI FAI Cup Cup Who quarter-finals? quarter-finals?

Which teams played in the 2014 FAI Cup Final?

Which teams played in the 2014 FAI Cup Final?

10: 11: 11: 12:

Lucky Dip! 3 City now play?

In whatDip! league do Swansea Lucky 3 managed Which Dutchman player Barnet and wore do Swansea City now play?

In what league the No1 jersey?

Which Dutchman player managed Barnet Who plays their home matches at Fir Park?and wore

the No1 jersey?

Who plays their home matches at Fir Park?

12: 13: 14: 13:

14: 15: 15:

7

7

Lucky Dip! 13: The EFL Championship / 14: Edgar Davids / 15: Motherwell 2019_14_Qarabag_60_p.indd 41

19/07/2019 21:20

FAI Cup 10: Ian Morris / 11: CIE Ranch / 12: St Patrick’s and Derry City

Lucky Dip! Premier Division 13: The EFL Championship / 14: Edgar Davids / 15: Motherwell 7: Limerick / 8: Bohemians / 9: Manchester City 40

winning penalty saves?

Premier Division does Cian Coleman play for?

Who Premier Division Who did Dundalk play in their final home league game does Cian Coleman play for?

Who Who did Dundalk play in their home league game of 2016?

FIGURES...

THEfinal ABOUT IT’S ALL of 2016?

Which EPL side have agreed to sign Shamrock Rovers' Which EPL side have agreed to sign Shamrock Rovers' Gavin Gavin Bazunu Bazunu next next summer? summer?

THE NUMBERS GAME

Gary Rogers, who FAI FAI Cup Cup has won multiple honours with Who scored a Goal of the Season contender for both Sligo Rovers Bohemians in 39 their FAI Cup Cup semi-final semi-final defeat? defeat? and Dundalk, turned in Bohemians in their FAI September and is the current Who did UCD UCD beat after after extra extra time time in in the the FAI FAI Cup Cup Who did European appearance beat record quarter-finals? holder amongst League of quarter-finals?

Irelandteams players with played 51.

Which in the 2014 FAI Cup Final?

His first Premier Division title Which teams played in the 2014 FAI Cup Final? was with the Bit O’ Red in 2012

39

and has won 4 more during his Lucky Dip! time at Oriel Park, as well as do Swansea City now play?

In what league two FAI Cupsanother trophy Lucky Dip! he also picked up during his Which Dutchman player managed Barnet and wore time at The Showgrounds. do Swansea City now play?

In what league the No1 jersey?

The most common player managed Barnet and wore Which Dutchman Who plays their home matches at Fir Park? squad number

14

the No1 ofjersey?

Thierry Henry, whose name was Whotakenplays their home matches at Fir Park?

by Michael Duffy as a Confirmation name according to his recent interview.

The same squad number, incidentally, is shared by Dane Massey who took over the club Instagram account for the Arsenal game and the Dundalk number 14 scored on the 14th of February this season in the 1-0 home win over Derry CityMichael Duffy’s hometown club.

44

Ian Foster, the ex Dundalk FC and current England Under 19 manager turns 44 next week The Liverpudlian, who managed the Lilywhites to victory in European competition- over Grevenmacher- was in charge for 2 seasons at Oriel 2019_14_Qarabag_60_p.indd 41 Park, leaving at the end of the 2011 season. He replaced Seán Connor- the last man

Dundalk captain Chris Shields and Gary Rogers ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group B match between Arsenal and Dundalk

to manage both Sligo and Dundalk. Incidentally number 44 is the squad number of Andy Boyle, who was defeated

by Sligo Rovers in the 2011 FAI Cup Final in a penalty shootout.

0

The number of fouls committed by Dundalk in their recent Europa League Group Stages encounter with Arsenal.

This was the first time such an achievement has occurred in the history of the competition in its current format. Incidentally, it’s also

the number of fans recorded as being at the Emirates Stadium, the first away Group Stages game which Lilywhite fans couldn’t travel to.

9

Dundalk have drawn nine times in the league over the past 53 games.

Of these 9 draws, two were against Finn Harps (1-1,00), two against Derry City (2-2, 2-2), once against Shamrock Rovers (0-0), Waterford (22), St Patrick’s Athletic (1-1), Bohemians (0-0) and the19/07/2019 sequence began with the 1-1 draw at Oriel Park against Sligo Rovers.

Lucky Dip! 13: The EFL Championship / 14: Edgar Davids / 15: Motherwell FAI Cup 10: Ian Morris / 11: CIE Ranch / 12: St Patrick’s and Derry City

Lucky Dip! Premier Division 13: The EFL Championship / 14: Edgar Davids / 15: Motherwell 7: Limerick / 8: Bohemians / 9: Manchester City 41

21:20

1-0 2-1 3-0 2-3 4-0 1-1 4-1 1-0 4-2 2-1 1-1 1-2 1-0 2-2 0-3 1-3 2-0 3-2 1-0 1-1+ 0-4 3-1 0-0 2-0 0-0 2-1 1-2 0-1 0-3 1-1 3-4

x

FAIC: Extra.ie FAI Cup UCL: UEFA Champions League UEL: UEFA Europa League PRC: President’s Cup UUCC: Unite the Union Champions Cup TOTAL APPS/GOALS (excl. friendlies)

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ROMA RESTAURANT 7 PARK STREET, DUNDALK

TEL 042 9334928 42

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4

Opponents UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN CFR Cluj CSKA Moskva DROGHEDA UNITED Crusaders LONGFORD TOWN SHAMROCK ROVERS DERRY CITY Shelbourne CORK CITY Shamrock Rovers [RTÉ] Finn Harps DERRY CITY BOHEMIANS DROGHEDA UNITED ATHLONE TOWN LONGFORD TOWN SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC [RTÉ] Bohemians [WATCHLOI] WATERFORD [R1] [WATCHLOI] WATERFORD [WATCHLOI] NK Celje [QR1] Sligo Rovers [WATCHLOI] Cobh Ramblers [R2] [WATCHLOI] SHELBOURNE [EIRSPORT] Inter Club d’Escaldes [QR2] Sheriff Tiraspol [QR3] SHAMROCK ROVERS [RTÉ] KÍ KLAKSVÍK [PO] FINN HARPS [WATCHLOI] Cork City [WATCHLOI] BOHEMIANS [WATCHLOI] Derry City [WATCHLOI] MOLDE [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] Waterford [WATCHLOI] Arsenal [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] Saint Patrick’s Athletic [WATCHLOI] Rapid Wien [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] SLIGO ROVERS [WATCHLOI] Bohemians [QF] Athlone Town [SF] RAPID WIEN [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] tbd [F] Molde [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] ARSENAL [BTSPORT/VIRGIN] xLGE: SSE Airtricity League

Seán GANNON

Comp.

Frie Frie Frie Frie Frie Frie PRC LGE LGE LGE LGE LGE Frie Frie Frie Frie Frie LGE LGE FAIC LGE UCL LGE FAIC LGE UEL UEL LGE UEL LGE LGE LGE LGE UEL LGE UEL LGE UEL LGE FAIC FAIC UEL FAIC UEL UEL

3

H/A H N* N* H A H H H A H A A H H H H H H A H H A** A A H A A H H+ H A H A H* A A A A H A H+ N A H+ H

Gary ROGERS

Date Fri 17 Jan Wed 22 Jan Fri 24 Jan Thu 30 Jan Mon 03 Feb Tue 04 Feb Sun 09 Feb Fri 14 Feb Fri 21 Feb Mon 24 Feb Fri 28 Feb Fri 06 Mar Fri 10 Jul Tue 14 Jul Fri 17 Jul Mon 20 Jul Tue 21 Jul Fri 31 Jul Fri 07 Aug Tue 11 Aug Fri 14 Aug Thu 20 Aug Sat 22 Aug Sun 30 Aug Fri 11 Sep Thu 17 Sep Thu 24 Sep Sun 27 Sep Thu 01 Oct Sun 04 Oct Tue 13 Oct Fri 16 Oct Mon 19 Oct Thu 22 Oct Sun 25 Oct Thu 29 Oct Sun 01 Nov Thu 05 Nov Mon 09 Nov Fri 20 Nov tbd Thu 26 Nov Sun 29 Nov Thu 03 Dec Thu 10 Dec xApps/Goals

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TEAMSTATISTICS

2020 SEASON MATCH DATA

1

2020_12SligoRovers60_56_57.qxp_DFC: Matchday Magazine 08/11/2020 18:34 Page 1

8/1 1/1 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 9/2

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t

t t

u t l t t

l t n

u t n

t t n u

u t u n

l l l l l l n l n

t t t n

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n n l n n n

t t t l t

n n

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n u t l u u

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u u tu

u t u1 u1 u u

u l l l n l u

l

t

7/0 1/0 1/0 5/0 0/0 0/0 14/0

t u t

t

7/1 1/0 1/0 6/3 0/0 0/0 15/4

8/0 0/0 1/0 1/0 0/0 0/0 10/0

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7/0 2/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 9/0

l l l l l l l n l l n l n l l n l n l l n

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5/0 0/0 0/0 1/0 0/0 0/0 6/0

n l n l n n u u1 n n n n1 l u

l n n1 l n n n n u u n

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11/1 0/0 0/0 5/1 0/0 0/0 16/2

l t u t u u u n u u n tP u u u t t u t t t u t t t u l

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13/1 2/0 1/0 5/0 0/0 0/0 21/1

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t

l

l l u t t l t u t1 u t u l l

l l

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1/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1/0

l

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13/0 1/0 0/0 2/1 0/0 0/0 16/1

n n1 l n l n u u

l l l l

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10/0 2/1 1/0 4/3 0/0 0/0 17/4

u1 t u t1 n

t t t u t n2

u u

t t t t n

45 Joshua GATT

28 Lido LOTEFA

25 Taner DOGAN

23 Cameron SMITH u t

u

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

l

n l n n l n© t n n t n

l

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12/1 1/0 0/0 4/0 0/0 0/0 17/1

D 3

L 0

F 42

A 7

+/- Pts +35 45

17 17

11 7

1 5

5 5

21 25

11 21

+10 34 +4 26

Waterford Sligo Rovers St Patrick’s Athletic Derry City Shelbourne

17 17 17 17 17

7 7 5 5 5

3 1 6 4 4

7 9 6 8 8

17 17 13 17 13

21 23 15 17 20

-4 -6 -2 0 -7

24 22 21 19 19

Finn Harps

17

4

5

8

14

24

-10

17

Cork City

17

2

4

11

9

29 -20 10

Fixtures Date Mon 09 Nov

Match Cork City v Derry City Dundalk v Sligo Rovers Finn Harps v Waterford Shelbourne v Shamrock Rovers St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians

Note: Kick-offs are 7:30 unless otherwise stated t t t u

l t t n1 l

n n n

l

Pld W 17 14

Bohemians DUNDALK

l l t

t t

l

Standings Team Shamrock Rovers

Note: Data correct until Sunday 08 November 2020 (5pm)

t n

u u u u u

n n n

t t t t t nP u u1 l u t n t l u t n l t tPP

12 George KELLY

44 Andy BOYLE

30 Jimmy CORCORAN

29 David McMILLAN

n

t t u

l u

7/0 1/0 0/0 3/0 0/0 0/0 11/0

u n1 t

t n t t u

u t n t u t u t

t t n u

n l n n n t t u n t t

27 Daniel KELLY

24 Jamie WYNNE

23 Cameron DUMMIGAN

22 Stefan ČOLOVIĆ

21 Daniel CLEARY

u n

u u u u u

u1 tu

t u u

u

20 Aaron McCAREY

17 Nathan ODUWA

t

t1 u

18 Will PATCHING

16 Seán MURRAY

15 Darragh LEAHY

2020_12SligoRovers60_56_57.qxp_DFC: Matchday Magazine 08/11/2020 18:34 Page 2

n l

Statistics Goals scored Total goals 188 (average: 2.21) Home goals 107 (average: 1.26) Away goals 81 (average: 0.95) Results Home wins 39 (45.9%) Draws 18 (21.2%) Away wins 28 (32.9%) Over/Under 2.5 goals Over 31 (36.5%) Under 54 (63.5%) UEFA Europa League Standings: Group B Team Pld W Arsenal 3 3 Molde 3 2

D 0 0

L 0 1

F 9 4

A 2 5

Rapid Wien DUNDALK

0 0

2 3

5 4

6 9

3 3

1 0

+/- Pts +7 9 -1 6 -1 -5

3 0

Note: Data correct until Sunday 08 November 2020 (5pm)

Fixtures Date Thu 26 Nov

2/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 2/0

5/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 5/0

0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0

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1/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 1/0

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Note: Players: Squad numbers not used in pre-season matches Starting: n / Not used: l / Player in: t / Player out: u / Captain: © Order of substitutions: 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5 and subsequent Goals: Listed by quantity (1, 2, 3, etc) Venue (H/A): N: Aviva Stadium, Dublin H*: Tallaght Stadium, Dublin H+: Aviva Stadium, Dublin 2/0 1/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 0/0 3/0

DUNDALK OIL CALL: 042 9334081

Heating oils - Road diesel/petrol Agri diesel - Fuel cards Lubricating oils 43

Match Molde v Arsenal (5:55) Dundalk v Rapid Wien (8:00)

Other player/venue data Fri 17 Jan: Dundalk 7-1 University College Dublin t Gabriel Sava Wed 22 Jan: Dundalk 1-2 CFR Cluj N*: Played at Oliva Nova, Spain t Gabriel Sava Fri 24 Jan: Dundalk 0-2 CSKA Moskva N*: Played at Hotel Campoamor, Spain Thu 30 Jan: Dundalk 2-0 Drogheda United t Gabriel Sava / t Mark Hanratty Mon 03 Feb: Crusaders 1-2 Dundalk t Mark Hanratty / t Ronan Kilkenny / l Jamie Barry Tue 04 Feb: Dundalk 0-1 Longford Town t Mark Hanratty / t Val Adedokun / t Gabriel Sava t Ronan Kilkenny / l Jamie Barry Mon 20 Jul: Dundalk 4-2 Athlone Town n Christian Jones (4) / n Jarlath Jones (21) / t Ronan Kilkenny (22) t Thomas Daly (16) / t Jeff Nwodo (15) / t Luke Hennessy (7) Tue 21 Jul: Dundalk 2-1 Longford Town l Ronan Kilkenny Thu 20 Aug: NK Celje 3-0 Dundalk N**: Played at Ferenc Szusza stadium, Budapest +Thu 24 Sep: Sheriff 1-1 (3-5) Dundalk Played at Stadionul Sheriff, Tiraspol Penalties: Čolović, Hoban, Hoare, McEleney and Shields all scored Sun 27 Sep: Dundalk 0-4 Shamrock Rovers l Mark Traynor (13) / l Val Adedokun (19) / l Mark Hanratty (25)

EXTRA TIME

THE SPECTATOR

W

ell this is all a bit strange isn’t it? It’s that time of year again, time for The Spectator’s very own awards ceremony, The Speccies 2020. The Half Speccies perhaps.

THE TOM MCNULTY PLAYER OF THE SEASON AWARD A tough call for the coveted McNulty award. There has been no standout performer throughout the season, but Patrick Hoban has ploughed the proverbial lone furrow up front admirably and is front runner to be the (half) league’s topscorer, there have been moments of magic from Michael Duffy and Stefan Colovic, Dan Cleary and Brian Gartland, Chris Shields and Euro specialist Sean Murray.

The Spectator’s nomination though goes to Gary Rogers who has probably been the side’s most consistently high performer, repeatedly repelling one-on-ones and being the base on which much of Dundalk’s successes were built.

Pat Hoban

THE PHILLY HUGHES MEMORIAL GOAL OF THE SEASON AWARD That Jordan Flores fella can hit a shot, can’t he? Great goal against Cork in February, and then he went one better with a worldie at Tallaght, THAT goal that went viral in this most viral of years.

Filippo Giovagnoli celebrates with Chris Shields following the UEFA Europa League match v FC Sheriff Tiraspol

Jordan Flores

THE ‘2002 CUP SEMI-FINAL’ AWARD FOR GAME OF THE SEASON Obviously we can’t give the award to that game in Tallaghtit was a bona fide classic but a 3-2 defeat ain’t gonna cut it.

Dundalk’s finest performances have probably been reserved for Europe. There were solid wins over Inter-Club and KI, 45 excellent minutes against Molde and a decent showing against Arsenal, but the superbly managed, professional and thoroughly deserved win over Sheriff in Moldova was outstanding.

44

THE ‘RELIVING 2012’ AWARD FOR WORST GAME OF THE SEASON Hmm. Quite a few to choose from since the restart. The Champions League defeat against Celje in Budapest was a bitterly disappointing result off the back of a mediocre performance. At home, performances varied from disappointing to dismal. The 3-1 shellacking in Sligo represented the nadir of an up and very down season.

Sligo Rovers

THE GRUDGING ADMIRATION AWARD FOR ANOTHER TEAM OF THE SEASON Once against Keith Long’s Bohemians impressed and they look well set for another competitive season in 2021. But there can only be one winner here, much as it pains The Spectator to admit it. The team that dominated, playing super football on their inevitable march to success. Of course we’re talking about.... Arsenal.

THE MAGIC MONS AWARD FOR BOGEY OPPOSITION Well they’ve stormed to the half-title, so we might as well let the Hooped Minions of Beelzebub have this award too.

They beat us in a ding-dong classic in Tallaght and in a very2002-ish surreal reserves v men game in Oriel.

THE KILDARE COUNTY ‘CAN WE PLAY YOU EVERY WEEK’ AWARD There were two pretty convincing wins over erstwhile title rivals Cork City, but it seems unduly schadenfreudeish to select the relegated Leesiders for this award. There are no easy games in Europe, as we all know, but we’ll take our chances against teams from the likes of Andorra and the Faroes please.

Shamrock Rovers

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Ki Klaksvik (Faroe Islands)

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HALF-TIME CHALLENGE

THE QUIZ

3

4

8

Dundalk 1. Who was the last player to have the number 13 as their Dundalk FC squad number?

2. Prior to Arsenal, who were the last London team to face Dundalk in a competitive game?

3. Brian Gartland scored his first Dundalk goal against which side?

4. Kit manager Noel Walsh hails from which Leinster county?

5. In what year was Patrick McEleney born?

Sligo Rovers 6. Who is the current Sligo Rovers assistant manager?

7. Which former FAI Cup winning goalkeeper is now a coach in Qatar?

8. Niall Morahan is a native of which county?

9. What is unique about Jesse Devers’ jersey?

10. Who was the most recent person to have managed both Sligo Rovers and Dundalk?

Mixed Bag 11. Which Scottish club play at Easter Road?

12. In what year did Real Zaragoza beat Arsenal in the Cup Winners’ Cup Final?

13. Who was the starting French goalkeeper in their 1998 World Cup winning triumph?

14. Stephen Baxter is most associated with which NIPL side?

15. Which former England team manager once managed Limerick?

1. Karolis Chvedukas 2. Tottenham Hotspur 3. Cork City 4. Meath 5. 1992 6. John Russell 7. Ciarán Kelly 8. Leitrim 9. He has his Christian name on the back 10. Seán Connor 11. Hibernians 12. 1995 13. Fabien Barthez 14. Crusaders 15. Sam Allardyce

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ANSWERS 46

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DUNDALK

SLIGO ROVERS

1 GARY ROGERS

1

ED McGINTY

2 SEAN GANNON

2

LEWIS BANKS

3 BRIAN GARTLAND

3

REGAN DONELON

4 SEAN HOARE

4

DANNY KANE

5 CHRIS SHIELDS

5

KYLE CALLAN-MCFADDEN

6 JORDAN FLORES

6

JOHN DUNLEAVY

7 MICHAEL DUFFY

7

RONAN COUGHLAN

8 JOHN MOUNTNEY

8

ALEX COOPER

9 PATRICK HOBAN

9

RYAN DE VRIES

10 GREGORY SLOGGETT

10 DARRAGH NOONE

11 PATRICK McELENEY

11

12

12 MARK BYRNE

13

13

14 DANE MASSEY

14 WILL SEYMORE

15 DARRAGH LEAHY

15

16 SEAN MURRAY

16 LUKE McNICHOLAS

17 NATHAN ODUWA

17 TEEMU PENNINKANGAS

18 WILL PATCHING

18 JOHN RUSSELL

19

19 RONAN MURRAY

20 AARON McCAREY

20 DARREN COLLINS

21 DANIEL CLEARY

21 JOHN MAHON

22 STEFAN COLOVIC

22 DAVID CAWLEY

23 CAMERON DUMMIGAN

23 SCOTT LYNCH

24

24

25

25 NIALL MORAHAN

26

26 GARRY BUCKLEY

27 DANIEL KELLY

27

28

28 JUNIOR OGEDI-UZOKWE

29 DAVID MCMILLAN

29

30 JIMMY CORCORAN

30

44 ANDY BOYLE

31

45

32 SIGITAS OLBERKIS

COACH FILIPPO GIOVAGNOLI

MANAGER LIAM BUCKLEY

JESSE DEVERS

HONOURS League of Ireland Champions (14): 1932/33, ‘62/63, ‘66/67, ‘75/76, ‘78/79, ‘81/82, ‘87/88, ‘90/91, ‘94/95, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 First Division Champions (2): 2000/01, 2008 FAI Cup Winners (11): 1942, 1949, 1952, 1958, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1988, 2002, 2015, 2018 Top Four Cup Winners (2): 1963/64, ‘66/67 League of Ireland Shield Winners (2): 1966/67, ‘71/72 League Cup Winners (7): 1977/78, ‘80/81, ‘86/87, ‘89/90, 2014, 2017, 2019 FAI President’s Cup Winners (2): 2015, 2019 Leinster Senior Cup Winners (7): 1951/52, ‘60/61, ‘70/71, ‘73/74, ‘76/77, ‘77/78, 2015 Leinster FA President’s Cup Winners (9): 1930/31, ‘51/52, ‘63/64, ‘64/65, ‘79/80, ‘80/81, ‘81/82, ‘88/89, ‘89/90 Dublin City Cup Winners (5): 1937/38, ‘42/43, ‘48/49, ‘67/68, ‘68/69 Women’s FAI Cup Winners (1): 2005

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE: DEREK TOMNEY ASSISTANT REFEREE: ROB CLARKE & ALAN SHERLOCK FOURTH OFFICIAL: SEAN GRANT

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