Dundalk entered the 1981–82 season, having finished as runners-up to Athlone Town the previous season. They were the holders of both the League Cup and the FAI Cup, having achieved their first domestic cup double. In the process, they had qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup. 1981–82 was Jim McLaughlin's eighth season as manager, and was Dundalk's 56th consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
| 1981–82 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Manager | Jim McLaughlin | ||
| League of Ireland | 1st (champions) | ||
| FAI Cup | Semi-final | ||
| League Cup | First round | ||
| President's Cup | Winners | ||
| Leinster Senior Cup | Runners-up | ||
| European Cup Winners' Cup | Second round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Mick Fairclough (15) All: Mick Fairclough (20) | ||
|
| |||
Season summary
editThe new season opened with the President's Cup, and Dundalk defeated Athlone 4–3 on aggregate to win it for the third season in a row.[1] But the League Cup was surrendered in the first round, when County Louth neighbours Drogheda United defeated them on penalties.[2] Later that season, they lost the Leinster Senior Cup final.[3] The League schedule commenced on 10 September 1981, using a trial point system of 4 for an away win, 3 for a home win, 2 for an away draw, and 1 for a home draw. Dundalk started with five victories but, after they drew Tottenham Hotspur in the Second round of the Cup Winners' Cup, there was a wobble in League form with all eyes at Oriel Park on the upcoming glamour tie.[4] They fell 10-points behind Bohemians, but subsequently charged to the title, sealing it on the final day away to defending champions Athlone.[5] But it was Bohemians that came out of a four match, seven and a half hour FAI Cup semi-final marathon, depriving McLaughlin of a shot at a second League and Cup Double.[6]
As FAI Cup holders from the season before, they qualified for the 1981–82 European Cup Winners' Cup. In the first round they drew Fram, and won through 5–2 on aggregate, with what remains their record victory in Europe – a 4–0 win in Oriel Park.[7] In the second round, McLaughlin's unbeaten record in Europe at Oriel reached eight matches, when Tottenham Hotspur were held to a 1–1 draw.[8] A 1–0 defeat in White Hart Lane ultimately ended their interest in the competition.[9]
First-Team Squad (1981–82)
editSources:[10]
| No. | Name | Years | League | FAI Cup | League Cup | Europe | Othera | Total | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Richie Blackmore
|
1974–1985 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 47 | 0 |
| 2 |  Martin Lawlor
|
1977–1995 | 29 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 47 | 5 |
| 3 | Paddy Dunning
|
1977–1983 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 44 | 2 |
| 4 | Tommy McConville
|
1967–1986 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 47 | 0 |
| 5 | Eamonn Gregg
|
1981–1983 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 45 | 1 |
| 6 |  Sean Byrne
|
1977–1983 | 29 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 44 | 10 |
| 7 | Barry Kehoe
|
1980–1993 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 46 | 7 |
| 8 | Leo Flanagan
|
1978–1983 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 47 | 14 |
| 9 | Mick Fairclough
|
1979–1984 | 27 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 42 | 20 |
| 10 | Brian Duff
|
1977–1982 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 22 | 9 |
| 11 |  Hilary Carlyle
|
1978–1984 | 22 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 31 | 12 |
| 12 | Ollie Ralph
|
1981–1983 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 5 |
| 13 | Willie Crawley
|
1977–1995 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 18 | 5 |
| 14 | Jerome Clarke
|
1980–1982 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 24 | 1 |
| 15 | John Archbold
|
1980–1983 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| 16 | Robbie Lawlor
|
1980–1983 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 15 | 1 |
- a. Includes the Leinster Senior Cup and LFA President's Cup.
Competitions
editLFA President's Cup
editSource:[11]
| 21 August 1981 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Athlone Town | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
| 27 August 1981 | Athlone Town | 2–2 | Dundalk | Athlone |
| Stadium: St Mel's Park |
Dundalk won 4–3 on aggregate
League Cup
editSource:[11]
- First round
| 30 August 1981 | Drogheda United | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | Dundalk | Drogheda |
| Stadium: United Park |
Leinster Senior Cup
editSource:[11]
- First Round
| 3 September 1981 | Dundalk | 6–0 | Pegasus | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Quarter Final
| 30 September 1981 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Drogheda United | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Semi Final
- Final
| 27 January 1982 | Dundalk | 1–2 | Shamrock Rovers | Dublin |
| Stadium: Tolka Park Attendance: 4,000 |
FAI Cup
editSource:[11]
- First Round
| 7 February 1982 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Thurles Town | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Second Round
| 17 February 1982 | Dundalk | 4–3 | Cork United | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Quarter Final
| 7 March 1982 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Galway United | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Semi Final
| 2 April 1982 | Dundalk | 3–3 | Bohemians | Dublin |
| Stadium: Tolka Park |
- Semi Final (first replay)
| 6 April 1982 | Dundalk | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | Bohemians | Dublin |
| Stadium: Glenmalure Park |
- Semi Final (second replay)
| 14 April 1982 | Dundalk | 1–1 (a.e.t.) | Bohemians | Dublin |
| Stadium: Tolka Park |
- Semi Final (third replay)
| 21 April 1982 | Dundalk | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | Bohemians | Dublin |
| Stadium: Tolka Park |
League
editSource:[11]
| 10 September 1981 Round 1 | Dundalk | 2–0 | UCD |
| 20 September 1981 Round 2 | Cork United | 0–2 | Dundalk |
| 27 September 1981 Round 3 | Dundalk | 3–0 | Finn Harps |
| 4 October 1981 Round 4 | Shelbourne | 0–3 | Dundalk |
| 11 October 1981 Round 5 | Dundalk | 4–0 | Galway United |
| 18 October 1981 Round 6 | Thurles Town | 0–0 | Dundalk |
| 25 October 1981 Round 7 | Dundalk | 1–4 | Bohemians |
| 1 November 1981 Round 8 | Drogheda United | 1–1 | Dundalk |
| 8 November 1981 Round 9 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Waterford |
| 15 November 1981 Round 10 | Sligo Rovers | 2–1 | Dundalk |
| 22 November 1981 Round 11 | Dundalk | 0–1 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 29 November 1981 Round 12 | Home Farm | 2–3 | Dundalk |
| 6 December 1981 Round 13 | Dundalk | 7–1 | Athlone Town |
| 13 December 1981 Round 14 | Limerick | 2–4 | Dundalk |
| 20 December 1981 Round 15 | Dundalk | 2–0 | St Patrick's Athletic |
| 27 December 1981 Round 16 | UCD | 1–1 | Dundalk |
| 3 January 1982 Round 17 | Dundalk | 3–0 | Cork United |
| 17 January 1982 Round 18 | Dundalk | 0–3 | Shelbourne |
| 24 January 1982 Round 19 | Galway United | 1–2 | Dundalk |
| 31 January 1982 Round 20 | Dundalk | 3–0 | Thurles Town |
| 14 February 1982 Round 21 | Bohemians | 0–0 | Dundalk |
| 21 February 1982 Round 22 | Dundalk | 5–1 | Drogheda United |
| 28 February 1982 Round 23 | Waterford | 1–1 | Dundalk |
| 14 March 1982 Round 24 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Sligo Rovers |
| 17 March 1982 Round 25 | Finn Harps | 0–2 | Dundalk |
| 21 March 1982 Round 26 | Shamrock Rovers | 1–1 | Dundalk |
| 28 March 1982 Round 27 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Home Farm |
| 11 April 1982 Round 28 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Limerick |
| 18 April 1982 Round 29 | St Patrick's Athletic | 0–1 | Dundalk |
| 25 April 1982 Round 30 | Athlone Town | 1–2 | Dundalk |
League table
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Home/Away Win/Draw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundalk F.C. | 30 | 20 | 6 | 4 | 61 | 24 | +37 | 80 | AW: 8; HW: 12; AD: 6; HD: 0 |
| 2 | Shamrock Rovers F.C. | 30 | 21 | 3 | 6 | 50 | 23 | +27 | 76 | AW: 9; HW: 12; AD: 1; HD: 2 |
| 3 | Bohemian F.C. | 30 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 50 | 18 | +32 | 72 | AW: 8; HW: 9; AD: 4; HD: 5 |
| 4 | Athlone Town A.F.C. | 30 | 18 | 3 | 9 | 70 | 42 | +28 | 67 | AW: 9; HW: 9; AD: 1; HD: 2 |
| 5 | Sligo Rovers F.C. | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 55 | 45 | +10 | 62 | AW: 7; HW: 9; AD: 2; HD: 3 |
| 6 | Limerick United F.C. | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 56 | 34 | +22 | 58 | AW: 5; HW: 8; AD: 5; HD: 4 |
| 7 | St Patrick's Athletic F.C. | 30 | 14 | 6 | 10 | 49 | 39 | +10 | 56 | AW: 5; HW: 9; AD: 3; HD: 3 |
| 8 | Waterford F.C. | 30 | 12 | 4 | 14 | 39 | 46 | −7 | 47 | AW: 6; HW: 6; AD: 1; HD: 3 |
| 9 | Shelbourne F.C. | 30 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 44 | 46 | −2 | 45 | AW: 5; HW: 5; AD: 3; HD: 4 |
| 10 | Cork United F.C. | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 41 | 50 | −9 | 42 | AW: 2; HW: 8; AD: 4; HD: 2 |
| 11 | Drogheda United F.C. | 30 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 45 | 50 | −5 | 41 | AW: 2; HW: 6; AD: 5; HD: 5 |
| 12 | Home Farm F.C. | 30 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 34 | 48 | −14 | 40 | AW: 5; HW: 3; AD: 4; HD: 3 |
| 13 | University College Dublin A.F.C. | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 30 | 41 | −11 | 37 | AW: 3; HW: 4; AD: 3; HD: 7 |
| 14 | Finn Harps F.C. | 30 | 7 | 4 | 19 | 42 | 61 | −19 | 31 | AW: 3; HW: 4; AD: 3; HD: 1 |
| 15 | Galway United F.C. | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 30 | 62 | −32 | 29 | AW: 2; HW: 3; AD: 4; HD: 4 |
| 16 | Thurles Town F.C. | 30 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 29 | 96 | −67 | 18 | AW: 2; HW: 1; AD: 2; HD: 3 |
Rules for classification: Points system: 4 for an Away win, 3 for a Home win, 2 for an Away draw, 1 for a Home draw.
Europe
editCup Winners' Cup
edit- First round
| Dundalk | 4–0 |  Fram |
|---|---|---|
Flanagan  4'Fairclough 23'M. Lawlor 49'Duff 62' |
Report Report 2 |
Dundalk won 5–2 on aggregate.
- Second round
| Dundalk | 1–1 | Tottenham Hotspur |
|---|---|---|
| Fairclough 82' |
Report Report 2 | Crooks 63' |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 1–0 | Dundalk |
|---|---|---|
| Crooks 63' |
Report Report 2 |
Awards
editPlayer of the Month
edit| Month | Player | References |
|---|---|---|
| September | Barry Kehoe
|
[12] |
| April | Tommy McConville
|
[13] |
References
edit- Bibliography
- Murphy, Jim (2003). The History of Dundalk F.C.: The First 100 Years. Dundalgan Press. ASIN B0042SO3R2.
- Graham, Alex. Football in the Republic of Ireland a Statistical Record 1921–2005. Soccer Books Limited. ISBN 1-86223-135-4.
- MacSweeney, Niall (1985). A Record of League of Ireland Football 1921/2 - 1984/5. Association of Football Statisticians. ASIN B008H2CBJQ.
- Citations
- ^ McGrath, Stephen (28 August 1981). "Dundalk sink Athlone". Irish Press. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ McGrath, Stephen (31 August 1981). "Drogheda's Nine Wise Men". Irish Press. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ "First Trophy for Young Rovers". Irish Press. 27 January 1982. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Meagan, Jimmy (3 October 1981). "Oriel Park To Stage Tottenham Treat". The Irish Press. Retrieved 13 May 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Dunne, Noel (26 April 1982). "Border club do it in style with great win". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Stuart, Charlie (22 April 1982). "Bohemians Triumph". Irish Press. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Meagan, Jimmy (1 October 1981). "Superb Show by Dundalk". Irish Press. Retrieved 25 July 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Faiers, David (22 October 1981). "Dundalk Are Not Dead Yet". Evening Herald. Retrieved 9 May 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Meagan, Jimmy (5 November 1981). "Heartbreak for Dundalk". Irish Press. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Murphy, Jim (2013). A Dundalk FC Miscellany. Ireland: Self-published. p. 264.
- ^ a b c d e Murphy, Jim (2003). History of Dundalk FC - the First 100 Years. Dundalk: Jim Murphy. p. 470.
- ^ "Writers Prize". Irish Press. 25 October 1981. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
- ^ Dunne, Noel (6 May 1982). "McConville's Award". Irish Independent. Retrieved 2 December 2019.