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From the Archives: Festive Football Part 3
- Colm Murphy
- 12 hours ago
- 6 min read
The final part of our look back at Christmas Fixtures through the years takes us to 1982, 1987, 1994 and 2001. Part 1 of this series is available here and Part 2 is available here.
Dundalk FC 1–0 Sligo Rovers, 26th December 1982, League of Ireland.
Jim McLaughlin’s Dundalk recorded an important 1–0 victory over Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park on St Stephen’s Day 1982, a result that kept them in second place in the league table behind leaders Athlone Town.
Dundalk relied on defensive solidity rather than attacking flair in a match that struggled to capture the imagination of the crowd. As the Dundalk Democrat observed, it was another example of “goal-shy forwards and the cast-iron defence.”
For much of the game Dundalk dominated territory but found clear chances hard to come by against a Sligo side sitting eleventh in the table. The breakthrough finally arrived with fourteen minutes remaining when David Kelly collected a pass from Sean Byrne and struck a fine shot from 20 yards that flew into the roof of the net.
In the News
China called for increased pressure on the Soviet Union to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan while Communist media denied any Warsaw Pact involvement in the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II. Closer to home, economic concerns were highlighted as ECCO Limited announced 94 redundancies and short-time working for another 60 staff, though there was cautious optimism in Ravensdale as Anglo-Irish Meats pursued a potential £20 million contract with the Iraqi government.
Around Town
Dundalk offered plenty of festive entertainment. Cinema-goers could enjoy family favourites like The Fox and the Hound at the Adelphi, E.T at the Casino, or The Trail of the Pink Panther at the Magnet.
Live music was spread across venues, with Dave Dixon’s Band playing the Pavilion in Blackrock, High Noon and Little Oak appearing at the Gaelic House, and Hilton and Colorado Fever performing at the Ballymascanlon.
Dundalk: Richie Blackmore, Robbie Lawlor, Martin Lawlor, Paddy Dunning, Tommy McConville, Leo Flanagan, Noel King, Sean Byrne, Mick Fairclough, Denis Cunningham, Ollie Ralph. Sub: David Kelly
Sligo Rovers: Colin Oakley, Charlie Ferry, Graham Fox, Tony Fagan, Chris Rutherford, Tony Stenson, Jimmy McGroarty, Keith Parkinson, John Skeffington, Andy Elliot, Martin McDonnell. Sub: Gus Gilligan.
Drogheda United 0–1 Dundalk FC, 27th December 1989, Premier Division
Dundalk FC kept their faint championship hopes alive with a hard-earned 1–0 victory over Drogheda United at United Park. The win maintained Dundalk’s position in third place in the table, with leaders Derry City continuing to set the pace at the top. Turlough O’Connor’s team were not at their best but showed resilience to grind out the result.
The match was evenly contested for long spells, with Drogheda frustrating Dundalk and creating their own opportunities. The home side came closest to taking the lead midway through the first half when James Coll was penalised for handball but John Nolan shot wide from the penalty spot.
The decisive moment arrived on 63 minutes from a well-worked set piece. Paul Newe and Martin Lawlor combined from a short corner before the cross was delivered into the box, where James Coll glanced a header into the net to score the only goal of the match.
According to Kevin Mulligan in the Argus, “The victory was a triumph for Dundalk’s character rather than their obvious advantage in skill.”
In the News
In Romania, just two days after the execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu, the country began preparations for free elections. Lithuania rallied in support of their Communist Party’s decision to split from Moscow. Closer to home, specialist units of the Irish Army were set to take a more active role along the border in operations against the IRA.
Around Town
Cinema-goers could catch Road House, Back to the Future Part II, or The Delinquents starring Kylie Minogue at the Adelphi Cinema.
Live music drew festive crowds, with Big Tom and the Mainliners performing at the Glendevlin Hotel, Susan McCann appearing at Lacey’s, and Bagatelle playing the Nuremore Hotel. Also, U2 were midway through a major run of concerts at Dublin’s Point Depot.
Drogheda United: Robbie Horgan, Charlie O’Reilly, Declan Geoghegan, Frank Flanagan, John Nolan, John Toal, Mark Girvan, Denis Cunningham, Brendan O’Callaghan, Synan Braddish, Alan O’Toole. Subs: Stephen Geoghegan for Braddish (75).
Dundalk: Alan O'Neill, Gino Lawless, Martin Lawlor, James Coll, Joey Malone, John Cleary, Tom McNulty, Larry Wyse, Martin Murray, Paul Newe, Tony Cousins.
Dundalk FC 2–1 Shamrock Rovers, 27th December 1994, Premier Division
Dundalk FC climbed to second place in the Premier Division with a dramatic victory over Shamrock Rovers. With Cork City leading the table and Rovers arriving in fourth, the festive fixture carried real significance, and Dermot Keely’s side responded with a gritty performance.
Dundalk took the lead after 16 minutes when Brian Byrne’s cross-shot from the right took a decisive deflection off John Toal, wrong-footing Alan O’Neill and finding the net. The hosts controlled much of the first half, but Shamrock Rovers emerged strongly after the break and levelled the score two minutes into the second half. Terry Eviston opened up the Dundalk defence, allowing Toal to atone for his earlier deflection by firing past Van Boxtel into the roof of the net.
The closing stages were tense and increasingly ill-tempered. Richie Purdy was dismissed in the 82nd minute following an altercation with substitute Karl Gannon, and just a minute later Rovers defender Willie Burke was sent off after receiving a second yellow card.
Dundalk seized their moment two minutes from time when Mick Doohan rose to head home Kelly’s cross from the right wing.
In the News
The French government braced for possible revenge attacks following the deaths of 25 hostages after the hijacking of an Air France aircraft. Environment Minister Brendan Howlin prepared to meet publicans to discuss the impact of new drink-driving laws, while Russian President Boris Yeltsin ordered the army to complete operations against rebel groups in Chechnya. Locally, Louth County Council expressed concern about elevated radon gas levels in homes across the county.
Around Town
The Adelphi Cinema screened The Specialist, Miracle on 34th Street, Junior, and Speed, while live music fans could catch Something Happens and the Cajun Kings at The Venue, or Touchdown at the Lisdoo.
Dundalk: Eddie Van Boxtel, Richie Purdy, John Coady, Mick Doohan, Anto Whelan, James Coll, Tom McNulty, Stephen Kelly, Tony Loughlin, Joe Hanrahan, Brian Byrne. Sub: Brian Irwin.
Shamrock Rovers: Alan O’Neill, Willie Burke, Len Curtis, Paul Whelan, Eoin Mullen, Greg O’Dowd, Derek McGrath, John Toal, Derek Tracey, John Brennan, Terry Eviston. Subs: Karl Gannon and Martin Buckley.
Dundalk 3-0 Monaghan United, Premier Division, 27th December 2001.
The last Christmas fixture held in Oriel Park before the Summer Season change was in December 2001 when Dundalk defeated Monaghan United in a vital bottom of the table encounter.
Monaghan, aided by a strong wind, began brightly and John Connolly was forced into important early saves. The deadlock was broken in the 37th minute when a five-man, nine-pass move ended with Stuart Connolly feeding Garry Haylock, who combined beautifully with Martin Reilly before the striker finished with composure past Gareth Downey.
After 71 minutes, Dundalk doubled their lead through a moment of individual brilliance from Garry Haylock on his home debut. After controlling a pass from Connolly and switching play wide, Haylock collected the loose clearance from Ciaran Kavanagh’s cross and unleashed a stunning 25-yard left-footed strike. The shot flew into the net, leaving the Downey helpless.
Dundalk’s win was completed in the 90th minute by Martin Reilly, who struck again in spectacular fashion. Connolly’s long kick-out, carried by the wind, bounced beyond the Monaghan defence into Reilly’s path. Despite a tight angle, the striker volleyed powerfully into the net, almost bursting it. The final whistle brought a sense of relief as much as celebration among Dundalk supporters. However, the win proved to be not enough to help Dundalk avoid relegation.
In The News
The news was dominated by NATO’s decision to support US-led attacks on Iraq if Saddam Hussein is deemed to have breached UN resolutions on weapons of mass destruction. In Ireland, the main news story is the changeover to the new Euro currency that was implemented in the days after Christmas. Locally, one of the first problems reported with the Euro were issues with Dundalk’s Pay Parking machines.
Around Town
In town, the IMC cinema was showing The Lord of the Rings, The Princess Diaries, Zoolander and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
Music fans were served by Thin Az Lizzy playing in the AOH Hall on Jocelyn Street while the Christmas period saw performances by Freddie White, The Walls, Peter Johnson, Red Twelve, Jinx Lennon and Louis Stewart at the Spirit Store. Dundalk Musical Society’s Panto, Dick Whittington, also commenced it’s run on the 28th December.
Dundalk: John Connolly, David Hoey, Stuart Connolly, Aaron Callaghan, Stephen McGuinness, John Flanagan, Ciaran Kavanagh, Martin Reilly, Jonathan Prizeman, Garry Haylock, James Keddy. Sub: Chris Lawless.
Monaghan United: Garth Downey, Nicholas McCarville, Declan McDonnell, Robbie Brunton, Mick Scully, Paul Shiels, Stephen Murphy, James O’Callaghan, Trevor Vaughan, Darren McKenna, and Jonathan King. Subs: Ken Lundy, John Carroll.