Dundalk FC :: Oriel Direct

Hello and welcome to my blog on the all new dundalkfc.com. On Friday night what should be a very competitive season begins. I would like to wish John, his management team, and all the players all the best for the season.
For me, there are four teams capable of winning the league this year, ourselves, Waterford, Shelbourne and Longford Town with dark houses Monaghan and Sporting Fingal, who have assembled a very good squad, looking to mount a challenge. This year is winner takes all and it’s the team that has been there before, has the belief and is able to handle the ups and downs that will come out on top.
The close season has been a very busy time with 9 players arriving to the club. The one noticeable thing about John’s signings this season is that they all have very good Premier experience that will stand to them in our league. During pre-season we got a glimpse of the teams abilities against Premier opposition and at no time did we look out of place.

In addition to that, what is equally impressive is how quickly the players have settled in and collectively agreed that no less than a medal in their back pockets will be good enough for themselves, their management team, and the fans that support us this season. (Who else had over 2,000 fans at a preseason friendly this season).

In regards to the club’s community work we have come a long way in a short space of time. Last years focus was on getting out into the public and knocking on as many doors as we could to promote the club. With a club the size of Dundalk this is a rewarding task as everybody is willing the club to do well and get back into the Premier League. There was a pride and enthusiasm we noticed last year that inspired us all at the club to put in the extra effort and it has given us a platform to grow this year.

Key promotional programs this year will centre on ‘The Soccer Superstar Challenge’(Soccer A.M style game), anti smoking campaign run in conjunction with the HSE and the FAI, and the roll out of the Show Racism the Red Card Educational pack. All these events will target primary and secondary schools in addition to local schoolboys clubs and the general public as we attempt to sustain our dedicated support from last year in addition to attracting new supporters and growing our attendance by 20% throughout the year.

News hot of the press is that we have been chosen as the club to launch ‘The Soccer Superstar Challenge’. This is a Soccer A.M style penalty shootout competition that is being run nationwide at local shopping centres and prominent landmarks throughout Ireland. There was a lot of competition to launch this event and it is a great achievement to be the first club to launch it. However, there is a serious side. This is a national competition and the winners on the day will progress to a qualifying stage in an attempt to reach the national final which will be shown on TV at the League Cup Final. Significant prizes are also available so don’t forget to come down and have a go.

This event will be held at the Marshes Shopping Centre on March 15th from 12.00 to 5.00pm. Dundalk’s First team and management, The Sun and News of the World, the FAI, RTE, Dundalk FM, Dundalk FC Trust, and many more will be there. This year’s players will be available for autographs and pictures so bring your camera and memorabilia for signatures. Also, don't forget that the DFC Trust will be in the Marshes Shopping Centre all of this weekend from Thursday to Sunday to launch our new season.

Looking forward to seeing you there and throughout the season as we continue to show the Eircom League of Ireland both on and off the pitch what a big club we are.

See you in Tolka!