Dundalk’s Dan Pike: ‘There was a lot of uncertainty but there’s huge relief now ‘

Dan Pike at EA Sports launch of FC 25

Dan Pike at EA Sports launch of FC 25 Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Dundalk's Dan Pike insists he and his Oriel Park teammates are determined to keep the Lilywhites up this season.

As recently as Monday, Dundalk were on the verge of liquidation amid mounting financial concerns at the club.

But the club’s immediate future was secured by Tuesday with John Temple taking over the reins from Brian Ainscough.

It was a deeply troubling time for supporters, players and staff at the club.

But having come through that turbulent spell which saw players’ wages being paid late two weeks ago, Pike and his teammates are hoping to ensure Dundalk’s top-flight status for 2025.

“There’s huge relief,” Pike told extratime.com when speaking at the launch of EA FC 25. 

“At the start of the week, no one really knew what was happening and there was a lot of uncertainty around the place.

“But there’s huge relief now and a real excitement about the place. It obviously wasn't nice. 

“It's an honour to play for a club like Dundalk but obviously times are tough and thankfully we're out of that situation now. We’re just looking forward to the game on Saturday.”

Dundalk are due to play Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening and sit just one point behind ninth-placed Drogheda United with a game in hand.



But for a time this week, it looked unlikely that the game was going to be played.

However, the club’s supporters rallied around the Lilywhites with dozens gathering outside Oriel Park on Monday evening.

Thankfully, the news they received was positive with the Lilywhites still operating as a Premier Division club. 

“The videos (of the fans outside Oriel) speak volumes about the people of the town,” Pike revealed. “The support they showed was incredible. 

“I was told about the fans but I didn't realise how good they were. I can't fault the fans at all since I've been here. The results haven't gone our way but they have stuck with us.”

Formerly of Blackburn Rovers as a youth, Pike joined the Lilywhites from English League Two side Tranmere Rovers in July. 



And while it has been a ‘whirlwind’ two months since joining, the 22-year-old is determined to help Dundalk stay up this season having joined from Tranmere Rovers during the summer. 

“Results haven't really gone our way since July and then with this situation, it has been a bit of a whirlwind two months,” he explained. “It’s not exactly what I expected when I signed but it’s resolved now.

“We've got to keep Dundalk in the Premier Division. There’s no other way around it and that’s the aim. We'll be doing everything we can to make sure that this club is still in the Premier Division next season.”

And the first game of the post-Ainscough era at Oriel Park sees Dundalk visit Sligo Rovers on Saturday evening. 

A victory would go a long way to ensuring they have a chance of staying up this term. 

“It’s a huge game and there’s a real excitement about it around the place now,” Pike admits. “Everyone is working towards the three points. 

“We've just got to focus on ourselves and we've just got to do what we can do and hopefully go to Sligo, get three points and we can kick on from there.”

Win For The Club as EA SPORTS FC announces the return of the League of Ireland to FC 25! Featuring the individual club crest of all 10 SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division teams, these exclusive sleeves will be available to download free from https://www.ea.com/fc25 when the game launches worldwide Friday, September 27th! 

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