The entire Dundalk team was last night put on the transfer list, despite beating champions St Patrick's Athletic at Oriel Park in the FAI National League Premier Division. After strikes from Peter Withnell and Tom McNulty had sealed only the second win of the season for Dundalk, club directors informed the players that they were all being placed on the transfer market for "financial reasons".
A full Board meeting followed at which it is understood that the plans for restructuring the club were outlined.
"It's not a liquidation, it's not a panic measure. It's simply one part of a plan to improve the overall financial situation at this club," a club official said last night. "We're doing it this way because, if possible, we don't want to sell our best players. This way we can see what offers come in and then we can decide what we have to do."
St Patrick's began the game as if they were going to win comfortably, with complete control in midfield and always dangerous in front of goal.
Dundalk were lucky when Shane Reddish somehow managed to head a fierce Trevor Crolly shot off the line and then shortly afterwards David Capper hooked a Trevor Molloy lob off the goal line with Steve Williams well beaten.
As the game wore on however, St Patrick's somehow lost their rhythm and Dundalk edged back into the match, with Raymond Campbell making dangerous raids into the penalty area. Then seven minutes before half-time a quick free kick, taken by Paul Doolin, was gathered by Mick Doohan, who cut into the Pat's area, slid a pass to Peter Withnell, who turned the ball into the Pat's net for the Dundalk lead.
Dundalk weathered a fierce onslaught early in the second half, with goalkeeper Williams saving brilliantly from a Martin Russell shot, but the game was clinched for them in the 77th minute when Tom McNulty, set up by Peter Withnell, scored the second.
Dundalk: Williams, Reddish, Crawley, Doohan, Capper, Campbell, Doolin, Withnell, McNulty, Thew, Harte. Sub: Ward for Harte (91 mins).
St Patrick's Athletic: Wood, McGuinness, Hawkins, Crolly, Osam, Russell, Doyle, Gilzean, Molloy, Burke, Morgan. Subs: Long for Osam (half-time), Parkes and Braithwaite for Gilzean and Russell (83 mins).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
