Dundalk

What a dramatic, typical season 2011 was for Dundalk. The squad assembled by Ian Foster had real quality. Every pre-season I hope the squad of the previous year is added to and the best players held on to.

It seems a simple enough task but with the budgets of LOI clubs it’s a relief when it happens. Early season saw Darius Kierans make the step across Louth’s divide to become assistant manager. 

Pundits where singing the praises that we had a top three squad. Players like Mark Quigley, Daniel Kearns, Jason Byrne, Colin Hawkins and of course the ever reliable “super Peter Cherrie” meant that I for one was buying all the hype.

The start of the season was holding real promise and the First Division, the play off farce and away games against Cobh, Monaghan and Athlone seemed a distance memory.  

Pre-season unfortunately saw Dundalk rocked by injuries, but little did we suspect how frustrating it would be for both fans and players.

The march to the Setanta Cup final was simply epic. The draw landed us against Linfield and Daniel Kearns memorable Valentines Day hat-trick in Windsor means he will be loved by all at Oriel for many years. Defeating Glentoran was the icing on the cake. Mark Quigley showed his class with a sublime goal. 

While drawing Cliftonville saw a different opponent arrive. The bond between the supporters was something special, Quigley once again pointing Dundalk to victory. The final brought back memories of Gary Haylock and although the result didn’t go to plan the journey restored pride in the white jersey.

The 2011 league season turned into a story of inconsistency. Foster had gone for quality over quantity when building our squad. The unfortunate scenario was that he was never able to field his strongest side. Injuries ravage our league season. The players that did take the field were fully committed, a trait that reflected Fosters reign.

Regrettably the league petered out into neither a fight for survival nor a charge for Europe. Not making a Setanta Cup place would mean Fosters fate was inevitable.

The supporters of Dundalk are quite simply the best in the land. Sometimes when I hear them yearn for more success and better results I wonder do they not remember where the club was a few years ago, battling to get out of the lower echelons of the First Division. But what one must realise is that this club remembers all too well.

It remembers the success of days gone by.  It remembers the nine leagues and nine cups. It remembers the visits of Celtic in the European cup and the narrow 3-2 defeat. It remembers Porto, Ajax, Liverpool and of course the 1-1 draw with Tottenham - where the club matched them - surely puts Shamrock Rovers ‘achievements’ into perspective.

Gerry Matthews has done so much for the club. The improvements and strides made over the last few years where truly impressive. He has chosen to hand the reins over and I for one thank him for the memories. Promotion from the First Division, qualifying for Europe and the Setanta Cup march are recollections we hold dear.

The announcement of Seán McCaffrey as our new manager brought surprise to many supporters. I for one had been of the opinion that a manager with LOI experience in abundance was a must. However if you analyze the clubs position, Seán’s appointment seems like a very shrewd move.

He brings with him a wealth of under age experience and the selection of Darius Kierans as his number two gives the club an element of consistency. As he already begins to assemble his squad with Mark Griffin and Stephen McDonnell signing on, the emphasis on quality youths appears the only viable option. Last years squad desperately lacked quantity and this needs to be addressed if the club is to move forward in 2012.

The expanding of the league sees the return of some big names and should lead to a more entertaining season. My hopes and dreams are the same as always – for the club to be back where it belongs battling for trophies. In reality a top half finish, a good cup run, and once again a few scalps seems more realistic. 

 - Paul McGee, Dundalk fan