Dundalk set new League of Ireland scoring record

Dundalk finally got their hands on the Premier Division title they retained earlier this month when they ran out 4-0 winners against Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park tonight.

The result also meant a new record for the Lilywhites who have now scored the most goals in a League of Ireland season

Strikes from Ciaran Kilduff and Daryl Horgan had Stephen Kenny’s side 2-0 up after just nine minutes but it took a late brace from Richie Towell to take Dundalk’s goal tally for the campaign to 78 – one more than the previous record set by Shamrock Rovers in 1922/23.

Kilduff set the ball rolling when he tapped in Darren Meenan’s cross in the fifth minute before Horgan added a second four minutes later after a slack back pass.

Despite plenty of pressure, the third goal didn’t arrive until 10 minutes from the end though when Towell slotted home a penalty.

He then fired home in the 89^th minute for his 25^th league goal of the season and Dundalk’s record breaking 78^th.

Captain Stephen O’Donnell collected the title afterwards and here’s hoping he’s lifting the FAI Cup as well on Sunday week.

Byrne pens new two year deal with AFL side Carlton

Ciaran Byrne

Former Louth GAA star Ciaran ‘Casey’ Byrne has signed a new two-year deal with AFL side Carlton.

The Louth Village man joined the Melbourne based side two years ago and made his AFL debut versus Essendon earlier this year.

After beginning the match as the substitute, the 20-year-old impressed in his first outing gathering nine disposals, one mark and laying a solid tackle.

Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay said he had earned the opportunity despite a recent injury setback.

“Ciaran has shown he can be a really exciting player for us and it’s a credit to him how quickly he’s picked up the game.
“It was really unfortunate he suffered an injury at training the week after making his debut, but we’re looking forward to seeing his development next year with another full pre-season under his belt.”

Tweeting about his new deal, which will see him remain Down Under until at least 2017, Byrne said: “Delighted to be a part of this great club for another 2 years @CarltonFC. Bring on 2016 #UpTheBaggers“

Second train running to FAI Cup final from Dundalk

Dundalk FC have confirmed that a second train will be running to the FAI Cup final against Cork City on Sunday November 8^th after the initial train sold out.

The train, which costs €15 return per person, will leave Clarke Station in Dundalk at 11.50am and will arrive at Lansdowne Road at 1.05pm. Kick-off on the day is at 3.30pm.

The train is scheduled to return from Connolly Station at 6.40pm, or 7.40pm if the match goes to extra-time. The price of the DART from Lansdowne Road to Connolly Station is covered in the cost of the return ticket.

The €15 price applies to everyone and no free travel passes will apply. Tickets are on sale from Oriel Park from today during office hours and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Cuchulainn Cycling Club now the third biggest in the country

Cuchulainn Cycling Club held its AGM recently in the Crowne Plaza Hotel and a successful year was discussed by the members.

The highlight of the reports by the club’s various directors was that membership has reached a record level of over 400 cyclists, ranging from 6 year old children flying over jumps on their BMXs, to people in their 70s who enjoy the social and physical benefits from riding their bikes. This number confirms Cuchulainn as the third biggest cycling club in the country, a remarkable achievement and one that the club’s various committees should be proud of.

Also with 400 members the club is the biggest sporting club in the county. Given the county’s strong GAA and soccer heritage this is again a remarkable achievement.

The treasurer’s report is always the most eagerly anticipated one, as its outcome can set the mood for the following year. Treasurer Sé Weston was delighted to report that the club is in a good position, with a balance in the clear and this was achieved while the club raised money for a number of charities, for example Barry Rogers ran an event in early September “The Lap of Louth” which raised over €3,500 for SOSAD.

Plans for 2016 were discussed and how best to cater for the broad range of cyclists within the club. The club’s success is very much built upon the variety of disciplines it caters for, BMX, off road, road racing, leisure etc. In fact it is the relatively new leisure section that has contributed much to the club’s growth, however how anyone can describe an event which involves 200km of Wicklow Hills as leisure is still a mystery.

Next on the agenda for the club is the annual awards night, to be held once again in The Spirit Store on Friday December 4th. Prizes will be presented for the various club and county events hosted in 2015, alongside the club awards. All are welcome to attend.

Dundalk FC request fans stay off the pitch for trophy presentation

It will be a night of celebration at Oriel Park tonight as Dundalk FC collect the Premier Division title following their match with Bray Wanderers.

While Stephen Kenny’s side retained their crown after drawing with Shamrock Rovers earlier this month, the trophy will only be handed back to them this evening.

The club have issued a notice asking supporters to stay off the pitch for the presentation.

A statement on dundalkfc.com said: “The club is determined that every effort will be made to ensure that all fans can enjoy the presentation celebration on Friday. “We must ensure everybody’s safety. This includes our players who still have another hard week of training ahead of our FAI Cup Final appearance with Cork City!

“The players and management of Dundalk Football Club will complete a lap of honour on the pitch once the presentation is complete.

“As well as potentially causing us to cancel the presentation, the club will face a very large fine if supporters enter the playing area. We have also received a number of fines in recent weeks regarding the use of flares. As it is Halloween weekend we must remind everybody that the club has a strict policy on the use of flares and pyros and we ask that no flares are let off in the ground.

“Please help us make it another night to remember! C’mon The Town!”

Kick-off tonight is at 7.45pm.

Bristol Rovers confirm interest in Dundalk’s Richie Towell

Richie Towell

Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke has confirmed his interest in Dundalk FC midfielder Richie Towell.

The 24-year-old’s 26 goals this season have caught the eye of the League Two outfit with a link to Bristol made by The Sun today.

Interest was then confirmed by Clarke to the Bristol Post this lunchtime.

He said: “Richie has a good pedigree and is the sort of player who might fit the mould we are looking for.

“We have heard some good things about him, but we want to have a look for ourselves and that is probably the next step in the process.

“Steve (Yates) has been out and about looking at several potential targets since taking up his new role recently and I’d anticipate that he will probably going over to Ireland to cast an eye over Richie at some point in the future.

“That is where we are at with it and anybody who says we are any further ahead in the process or talking about deals or wages at this moment in time would be jumping the gun.”

Dundalk FC and LMFM to host Up for the Cup event next Tuesday

Dundalk FC and LMFM are hosting an Up for the Cup event in the Lilywhite Lounge next Tuesday as part of the build up to the FAI Cup final against Cork City on Sunday November 8^th.

The free event is being hosted by Colm Corrigan and will include previous cup winners including David Crawley, Alan O’Neill, Dermot Keely and more. There will also be interviews with former Dundalk FC star and current Dundalk FM commentator John Murphy, LMFM’s Gerry Malone and Philip Quinn of The Irish Daily Mail.

The event will be recorded on the night and broadcast on LMFM on Saturday November 7^th.

All are welcome to attend with the event getting underway on the night at 8pm.

FAI Cup final tickets to go on general sale tomorrow morning

General admission tickets for Dundalk’s FAI Cup final clash with Cork City at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday November 8^th will go on sale from 10am tomorrow on Ticketmaster.

Up until now tickets have only been available through both clubs but those interested in attending the game are still urged to buy their tickets from Oriel Park as the Dundalk FC gets a portion of the sale.

Tickets can be bought during office hours or from Ticketmaster.ie here.

Shields puts pen to paper on new Dundalk deal

Chris Shields has become the latest Dundalk FC player to commit his future to the club after putting pen to paper on a two year deal that will see him remain at the club until the end of the 2017 season.

Having signed for the Lilywhites in 2012, the 24-year-old will now have at least six seasons at the club should he honour his new deal.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com, Shields said: “It’s great to finally get it done. I am really happy to be signed for the next two years and to get everything sorted. I have had a great time here over the past few seasons and I want to continue that. I’m really enjoying my football now and want to keep that going.

“One thing we want to kick on is in Europe. We have been there the last two seasons and in the Champions League, after losing last year we feel that we have some unfinished business in the competition. We think we have something to prove and can go further than we had been. We can’t wait to get another crack at it.

“It’s rare to be in a club this long in this league but it goes to show that it can happen and continuity is good for everyone. I have been here nearly five years now and that shows how much I love this football club and love being here. Even the locals see me as a local now and don’t see me as being from Dublin!”

Late Reid point brings Pat’s long unbeaten run to an end

Mattock captain Robbie Brennan raises the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup at full-time on Sunday

A stoppage time point from David Reid saw Mattock Rangers end county champions St Patrick’s two year unbeaten run as the Collon outfit ran out 1-12 to 0-14 winners at Dunleer on Sunday to land the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup.

Pat’s had been favourites to complete a second consecutive league and championship double but found themselves 1-7 to 0-8 in arrears at the break after Daniel Bannon’s goal had settled Mattock after they had fallen three points behind early on.

Five consecutive points on the restart from Eoghan Lafferty, Daniel O’connor, Eamon Breen, Conor Grogan and Aidan McCann looked to have put the Lordship men on course for victory as it stood 0-13 to 1-7 after 46 minutes.

However, three injuries proved costly as points from David Reid, Christy Grimes and Adrian Reid brought Mattock level at 1-10 to 0-13 with five minutes to go.

Grimes then fired Mattock in front before Paddy Keenan equalised but Reid ensured the win for Mattock with a last gasp point, allowing captain Robbie Brennan to lift the cup.

Mattock Rangers: Jason McKeown; Ivor Sherlock, David Brennan, Sean Gilsenan; Terry Donegan 0-1, Daire Englishby, Niall Callan; Daniel Bannon 1-0, Adrian Reid 0-1; Hugh Donnelly, Christy Grimes 0-4, Ryan Leneghan; Aaron O’Brien, Robbie Brennan, David Reid 0-6. Sub: Alan Caraher for R Leneghan.

St Patrick’s: Barry Corcoran; Kevin Toner, Darren O’Hanlon, Patrick Kirk; Kevin White, Dessie Finnegan, Owen Zamboglou; Paddy Keenan 0-3, Eamonn Breen 0-1; Aidan McCann 0-1, Karl White 0-2, Eoghan Lafferty 0-1; Daniel O’Connor 0-4, Eoin O’Connor, Conor Grogan 0-2. Subs: Alan O’Connor for E Lafferty, Cathal Grogan for K White, Daniel Rice for P Kirk.