CHARLIE FROM THE STANDS: The curious case of Dundalk's millions

From Arsenal and AZ Alkmaar to the League of Ireland First Division in the space of 10 years.

I have been thrown a few curve balls in my time. I have had a few smokescreens put up in front of me with the purpose of distracting from what was happening. So, when Dundalk FC Development Group released a high-level scope for the development of Oriel Park, along with beautiful renderings, I felt something was up.  

Don’t get me wrong - part of me hoped this would be the long-awaited revamp of Oriel, and the boost that Dundalk FC needed.

As all the other clubs in Ireland were announcing funding, sealing planning permission or indeed starting work on their infrastructure, the dilapidated Oriel sat as it was.  After all, if you look at the grounds across the Premier Division, Dundalk has arguably the worst of all. The once-lauded 3G pitch looks like it needs replaced, the away stand is a fixture of old seating and terrace at the corner of the ground, and the main stand looks like the sides could blow off at any time. As human beings, most of us consume via what we see, so you would imagine that the drawings released of this highly modern revamp has Lilywhite fans excited.
 
One key point of the statement and renders released was that there was no indication of clear private investment, public investment or funding attached. What’s more, there were no clear figures on what this rendering would cost or a timeline for getting it done. To me, essentially this was a wish and a prayer. This was a smokescreen for what was to come next or even a signal to investors of what is possible if they made an investment in Dundalk FC.

What makes it all more unbelievable though is that the progress and success the club seen during the Stephen Kenny era, wasn’t just on the pitch. There were significant wins off it as well, including an injection of cash to the amount of €7m after qualifying for the Europa League group stages. To put that into context, the combined revenue in 2016 for all the Premier Division teams was €19 million, so Dundalk received 36% of the total revenue in 2016. That was even followed by another windfall for their Europa Conference League group stage appearances in 2020/21.

But now in 2023, Dundalk is considering a return to part-time football and have still yet to develop any of its building assets. The question must be, what happened to the millions?

The reason I ask this question is due to reports this week that the club’s all-time top goalscorer and talisman, Pat Hoban has been told he can leave the club, despite having a year left on his contract. Releasing the greatest goalscorer in the club’s history from his contract – when still in his prime - for nothing, doesn't make sense considering half the country is looking for one. Then you have a plethora of top players who are out of contract, like Greg Sloggett, Nathan Sheppard, Cameron Elliott, Peter Cherrie, John Martin, Robbie Benson, Robbie McCourt, Keith Ward, John Mountney and Alfie Lewis. All of these players would walk into clubs around the country.

It's a mess and there is nothing the club or Stephen O’Donnell can say to change that view. There are always signs, and Hoban aside, there is another telltale sign that a club is struggling, and it tends to be when they sign players on loan – Dundalk had over six this season. You see clubs in lower leagues in England filling their squads with short-term fixes trying to bolster their teams with these young professionals from bigger clubs. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. For Dundalk, they have had some success but there is still that element of never really being in control. Loans are cut short all the time, usually just when things are starting to go well. That’s the risk you run.

But of them all, it is hard not to feel for Daryl Horgan. The man who ignited so many sparks for the club during his first period, who’s magic was a catalyst on the pitch, now finds himself in the middle of a shitshow just months after his fairytale return.

Indeed, one player that is reported to be on his way is Daniel Kelly, who is rumoured to have agreed a two-year deal with Derry City. He’ll not be the last.

So, let’s say Dundalk fail to get investment, which is likely considering the size of investment needed and the possible ROI on any investment, the club moves to part-time football and lose the aforementioned players and possibly more. Couple that with the emergence of Galway United and the likely clean outs at both Cork City and Sligo Rovers, it could prove a very interesting mix in the bottom half of the Premier Division next season.  

There are only so many plans and renders you can release before someone calls bullshit. Hoban’s decision to out the club in the media was one made with frustration that after everything he has done during his spell there, he’s being effectively let go. Does Dundalk run the risk of getting sucked into a relegation battle next season? What would that do to a supporter base that has been so used to success over the past 10 years?

I know one thing is for certain, should all of the above come to fruition. There will be questions to answer around where all the money went.

Premier Division – Final week permutations

Derry City may secure a second-place finish at the Brandywell this weekend, as they take on St Pat’s in their final game. For the visitors, this will be a game just to get through unscathed. Jon Daly rested a number of players last week in the build-up to their FAI Cup Final with Bohemians and will likely do the same this time round. Whilst it’s not the title party we were hoping for, it is still another indication of the progress the club is making on the field.

At Dalymount Park, two clubs whose season isn’t yet at an end face off. Bohemians will have their attention on the Aviva showcase with Pat’s, whilst it’s different for Cork City, who will be preparing for their relegation playoff. Two cup finals if you will. Bohs lost their leader Keith Buckley to injury last week, and it’s hard to predict whether Declan Devine will want to run that risk with another player, by playing a strong team.

Cork on the other hand, have struggled badly. Their unwillingness to give Shamrock Rovers a guard of honour last week depicts a siege mentality at Turner’s Cross, one which they were unable to follow-up with a performance. Richie Holland’s side were outclassed by a second-string Rovers. There is a huge amount of surgery needed at Cork regardless of whether they stay up or not, and with UCD already down, should they stay up, they run the risk of becoming the league’s whipping boys.
 
Damien Duff’s Shelbourne travel to Drogheda United to complete a stellar campaign. The work Duff has done and the improvement that his side has shown on the pitch has been remarkable, and in true Shels fashion, I can see them being solid at the back, dogged in midfield and nicking a goal from somewhere.

For a club in turmoil, Dundalk still have an outside chance of European football as they entertain UCD at Belfield. Should Stephen O’Donnell’s side secure a big win and Shels drop points, they can sneak into Europe – what would be a huge win for a club in its predicament.
 
Shamrock Rovers take on Sligo Rovers in their final game of the season – the less said about what happens after that game, the better.