The Men Who Saved Football - Ep 198 Athlone 1 - 1 Dundalk Reaction

After inconsistent recent form Dundalk rally at home in front of a full house to beat Finn Harps and secure the first division Championship and priceless prize of automatic promotion. With Cobh losing in Longford the Lilywhites now go into the final day with an unassailable 7 point league and the small matter of a Leinster cup final against Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic. Ep 199 reflects on the penultimate act of a momentous campaign.

Despite a dominant display in the first half Dundalk fail to add to their initial goal and have to settle for a draw when Athlone's converted free kick draws them level and the Lilywhites squander a host of late chances to take all 3 points. With Cobh's win over Bray bringing them within 4 points of the Lilywhites with 6 to play for all thoughts turn to Friday's home game against Finn Harps, where a win will secure promotion and the title regardless of Cobh's performance in Longford, while anything else could see the title go down to the final day.

After last weeks nightmare in Longford, Dundalk FC bounce back with a home win over UCD to gain a crucial 3 points in the title race. The Lilywhites enjoy a slice of good luck being awarded 2 spot kicks and survive a late UCD rally in a game where the Students dominated possession and passing but nonetheless have to watch a Horgan inspired Dundalk take all 3 points in the second half.

Episode 196 looks back in Dundalk's inconsistent September, which saw a 0 - 0 draw away to Wexford, a comprehensive home win over Bray and dismal display in a shock defeat to Longford Town which saw the Lilywhites squander an opportunity to all but secure the title after Cobh's defeat in Wexford the previous night.

Dundalk FC enjoy an August Goal rush scoring 21 times to record 4 wins and 1 draw this month. Despite dropping 2 points against Kerry the Lilywhites remain in pole position as the title enters its final 7 games with only final day opponents Cobh Ramblers remaining as serious challengers to automatic promotion.

Dundalk emerge from the bank holiday weekend double header with two wins with Ciaran Kilduff successfully rotating the squad and changing formation to secure maximum points. Despite riding their luck in Belfield, the comprehensive victory over Longford will foster a quiet confidence amongst Lilywhite fans that Dundalk have what it takes to maintain their automatic promotion spot as we enter the league campaigns final phase.

Dundalk looked to have buried recent shot-shyness with a goal within the first 95 seconds, while a second from Gbemi Arubi set up what should have been a comfortable evening for the Lilywhites. However a goal keeping error and defensive lapses see Wexford mount a considerable fightback as the evening turned into a edge of your seat thriller. Dundalk remain on the top of the table as the season enters its final furlong.

After romping to a comprehensive victory in the South West, Dundalk draw a blank at the seaside as Bray are awarded a mysterious penalty while the Lilywhites spurn a litany of chances. The failure to convert possession into goals continues to bedevil Dundalk as despite an energetic performance against Sligo Rovers, the Bit of Red's second hard rapid fire brace sees Dundalk exit the FAI Cup. Ep 192 discusses the prospects for promotion, the ethics of booing ex players and whether our League campaign is like the Bismarck.

Ep 191 catches up on the last four Dundalk FC fixtures which saw our first defeat, 2 draws and culminated with a top of the table victory over Cobh Ramblers. With the team enduring some ups and downs we ask, how prepared is the club for a return to the top flight? Ep 191 also discusses the departure from Tolka Park of Damien Duff and Drogheda Utd's Drexit from Europe.

Dundalk overcome a surprisingly tough test in Wexford as the Lilywhites are forced to come from behind to claim all 3 points and maintain their unbeaten record. An early goal from Leo Gaxha is quickly cancelled out by Darragh Levingston equaliser, before Wexford grab the lead and looked set to maintain it until a triple substitution sees Kilduff's men regain control of the game and go on to grab a late winning to keep their title bid on track as the season reaches it's midpoint break.