1987–88_Dundalk_F.C._season
1987–88 Dundalk F.C. season
Dundalk 1987–88 football season
Dundalk entered the 1987–88 season as the League Cup holders from 1986–87, having won that competition and finished as runners-up in both league and FAI Cup. 1987–88 was Turlough O'Connor's third season as manager, and was Dundalk's 62nd consecutive season in the top tier of Irish football.
| 1987–88 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Manager | Turlough O'Connor | |
| Premier Division | 1st (champions) | |
| FAI Cup | Winners | |
| League Cup | Quarter-final | |
| President's Cup | Runners-up | |
| Leinster Senior Cup | 2nd Round | |
| European Cup Winners' Cup | First round | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Dessie Gorman (14) All: Dessie Gorman (16) | |
|
| ||
The new season opened with the Leinster Senior Cup, with Dundalk exiting in the second round.[1] The League Cup followed and, after qualifying from a four team mini-group to reach the quarter-finals, they were knocked out by St Patrick's Athletic.[2] The 33-round League programme commenced on 13 September 1987, and was completed on 21 April 1988. Shamrock Rovers had won the title for the previous four seasons and were expected to challenge again, while St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians and Cork City were all strongly tipped. Dundalk went top of the table early, but slumped to fourth after back-to-back defeats in October.[3] They then put together a seven match winning streak, to lead by three points in the run up to Christmas.[4] They continued to lead into March, until a five match winless streak saw them slip to third.[5]
With three games remaining, the season appeared to swing back in Dundalk's favour when, after going two goals down to Derry City in Oriel Park, they scored three times in the final 13 minutes to win the match.[6] A big win the following week over Bray Wanderers meant that, going into the final match of the season, they only needed a draw against St Patrick's Athletic – their closest challengers – to become Champions. Pats themselves required a win to pip Dundalk to the title. The televised finale, described as being played out in the "emotion charged atmosphere of Oriel Park", ended 1–1. Dundalk had won the League for the first time since 1981–82, and their first title in the Premier Division era.[7] They went on to win the 1988 FAI Cup Final, with a 1–0 victory over Derry City on 1 May 1988 – the club's second League and Cup Double – to cap a season that had seen them play 50 matches.[8]
As FAI Cup runners-up from the season before, they qualified for the 1987–88 European Cup Winners' Cup. In the first round they drew a glamour tie against the holders, Ajax Amsterdam (many of whose players would be in the Dutch squad that would win Euro '88). Despite "gallant" displays, Ajax ran out comfortable winners 6–0 on aggregate.[9][10]
First-Team Squad (1987–88)
Sources:[11]
| No. | Name | Years | League | FAI Cup | League Cup | Europe | Othera | Total | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Alan O'Neill |
1985–1993 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 48 | 0 |
| 2 | Martin Lawlor |
1977–1995 | 28 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 1 |
| 3 | Joey Malone |
1985–1990 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 49 | 1 |
| 4 | Harry McCue |
1985–1988 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 0 |
| 5 | Gino Lawless |
1986–1994 | 33 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 2 |
| 6 | Larry Wyse |
1986–1989 | 32 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 44 | 6 |
| 7 | Barry Kehoe |
1980–1993 | 25 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 41 | 6 |
| 8 | Martin Murray |
1984–1990 | 31 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 47 | 7 |
| 9 | Dessie Gorman |
1985–1989 | 31 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 45 | 16 |
| 10 | Terry Eviston |
1986–1993 | 32 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 47 | 15 |
| 11 | John Cleary |
1984–1991 | 33 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 49 | 8 |
| 12 | Paul Newe |
1987–1990 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 32 | 4 |
| 13 | Michael O'Connor |
1987–1988 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 6 |
| 14 | Mick Shelley |
1985–1993 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 1 |
| 15 | Dave Connell |
1985–1988 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
- a. Includes the Leinster Senior Cup and LFA President's Cup.
Leinster Senior Cup
Source:[12]
- First Round
| 6 August 1987 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Drogheda United | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Second round
| 20 August 1987 | Dundalk | 1–2 | Athlone Town | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
League Cup
Source:[12]
- Group
| 30 August 1987 | Monaghan United | 1–3 | Dundalk | Monaghan |
| Stadium: Gortakeegan |
| 3 September 1987 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Drogheda United | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Quarter Final
| 6 September 1987 | Dundalk | 1–2 | St Patrick's Athletic | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
LFA President's Cup
Source:[12]
| 12 November 1987 | Dundalk | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (1–3 p) | Shamrock Rovers | Dundalk |
| Stadium: Oriel Park |
Premier Division
Source:[12]
| 13 September 1987 Round 1 | Cork City | 0–2 | Dundalk |
| 20 September 1987 Round 2 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Limerick |
| 27 September 1987 Round 3 | Shelbourne | 0–2 | Dundalk |
| 4 October 1987 Round 4 | Dundalk | 0–0 | Bohemians |
| 11 October 1987 Round 5 | Sligo Rovers | 2–2 | Dundalk |
| 18 October 1987 Round 6 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Waterford |
| 25 October 1987 Round 7 | Galway United | 1–0 | Dundalk |
| 26 October 1987 Round 8 | Dundalk | 0–2 | St Patrick's Athletic |
| 30 October 1987 Round 9 | Shamrock Rovers | 0–1 | Dundalk |
| 8 November 1987 Round 10 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Derry City |
| 15 November 1987 Round 11 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Bray Wanderers |
| 22 November 1987 Round 12 | Bray Wanderers | 2–3 | Dundalk |
| 29 November 1987 Round 13 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Cork City |
| 6 December 1987 Round 14 | Limerick | 0–3 | Dundalk |
| 13 December 1987 Round 15 | Dundalk | 3–1 | Shelbourne |
| 20 December 1987 Round 16 | Bohemians | 2–3 | Dundalk |
| 27 December 1987 Round 17 | Dundalk | 1–0 | Sligo Rovers |
| 28 December 1987 Round 18 | Waterford | 2–3 | Dundalk |
| 3 January 1988 Round 19 | Dundalk | 1–1 | Shamrock Rovers |
| 10 January 1988 Round 20 | Derry City | 3–0 | Dundalk |
| 17 January 1988 Round 21 | Dundalk | 2–1 | Galway United |
| 24 January 1988 Round 22 | St Patrick's Athletic | 2–2 | Dundalk |
| 7 February 1988 Round 23 | Dundalk | 4–0 | Limerick |
| 21 February 1988 Round 24 | Shelbourne | 0–1 | Dundalk |
| 28 February 1988 Round 25 | Dundalk | 0–2 | Bohemians |
| 9 March 1988 Round 26 | Cork City | 1–1 | Dundalk |
| 13 March 1988 Round 27 | Sligo Rovers | 0–0 | Dundalk |
| 17 March 1988 Round 28 | Dundalk | 1–1 | Waterford |
| 20 March 1988 Round 29 | Galway United | 2–0 | Dundalk |
| 2 April 1988 Round 30 | Shamrock Rovers | 0–1 | Dundalk |
| 4 April 1988 Round 31 | Dundalk | 3–2 | Derry City |
| 13 April 1988 Round 32 | Dundalk | 5–1 | Bray Wanderers |
| 21 April 1988 Round 33 | Dundalk | 1–1 | St Patrick's Athletic |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dundalk (C) | 33 | 19 | 8 | 6 | 54 | 32 | +22 | 46 | Qualification to 1988–89 European Cup |
| 2 | St Patrick's Athletic | 33 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 52 | 25 | +27 | 45 | Qualification to 1988–89 UEFA Cup |
| 3 | Bohemians | 33 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 57 | 32 | +25 | 45 | |
| 4 | Shamrock Rovers | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 53 | 30 | +23 | 41 | |
| 5 | Galway United | 33 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 40 | |
| 6 | Waterford United | 33 | 10 | 14 | 9 | 40 | 31 | +9 | 34 | |
| 7 | Cork City | 33 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 41 | 47 | −6 | 34 | |
| 8 | Derry City | 33 | 13 | 5 | 15 | 59 | 44 | +15 | 31 | Qualification to 1988–89 European Cup Winners' Cup |
| 9 | Limerick City | 33 | 9 | 7 | 17 | 33 | 60 | −27 | 25 | |
| 10 | Shelbourne | 33 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 27 | 65 | −38 | 24 | |
| 11 | Bray Wanderers (R) | 33 | 4 | 10 | 19 | 27 | 65 | −38 | 18 | Relegation to League of Ireland First Division |
| 12 | Sligo Rovers (R) | 33 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 30 | 81 | −51 | 13 |
FAI Cup
Source:[13]
- First Round
| 14 February 1988 | Sligo Rovers | 1–1 | Dundalk | Sligo, County Sligo |
| Michael O'Connor | Stadium: The Showgrounds |
- First Round Replay
| 18 February 1988 | Dundalk | 3–2 | Sligo Rovers | Dundalk |
| Terry Eviston (2) Paul Newe |
Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Second Round
| 6 March 1988 | Dundalk | 2–0 | Bray Wanderers | Dundalk |
| John Cleary Paul Newe |
Stadium: Oriel Park |
- Quarter Final
- Quarter Final Replay
- Semi Final
| 10 April 1988 | Dundalk | 1–0 | St Patrick's Athletic | Dundalk |
| Dessie Gorman | Stadium: Oriel Park |
| 17 April 1988 | St Patrick's Athletic | 0–3 | Dundalk | Dublin |
| Barry Kehoe Dessie Gorman Martin Murray |
Stadium: Richmond Park |
Dundalk won 4–0 on aggregate.
- Final
| 1 May 1988 | Dundalk | 1–0[14] | Derry City | Dublin |
| 15:30 | John Cleary  20' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Dalymount Park Attendance: 21,000[15] Referee: John Spillane |
Europe
Cup Winners' Cup
- First round
Ajax won 6–0 on aggregate.
Player of the Month
| Month | Player | References |
|---|---|---|
| March | Terry Eviston |
[16] |
| April | Dessie Gorman |
[17] |
SWAI Personality of the Year
- 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.
- Citations
- "Athlone pounce in extra time". Irish Press. 21 August 1987. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- "Disappointing Dundalk go out to eager Pats". Irish Press. 7 September 1987. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- Dunne, Noel (27 October 1987). "Dundalk's Weekend Disaster". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- "Malone Makes Dundalk Safe". Irish Independent. 14 December 1987. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- Dunne, Noel (21 March 1988). "Dundalk's Premier Run Comes to a Stop". Irish Independent. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- "Dundalk Rally to Keep Hopes Alive". Irish Press. 5 April 1988. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- Stuart, Charlie (22 April 1988). "Dundalk Are Tops". The Irish Press. Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- Stuart, Charlie (2 May 1988). "Delight". The Irish Press. Retrieved 23 April 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- Stuart, Charlie (17 September 1987). "Stapleton is in scoring form". Irish Press. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
- Kelly, Liam (1 October 1987). "Ajax clean up at Oriel Park!". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 May 2019 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- Murphy, Jim (2013). A Dundalk FC Miscellany. Ireland: Self-published. p. 270.
- Murphy, Jim (2003). History of Dundalk FC - the First 100 Years. Dundalk: Jim Murphy. p. 472.
- Murphy, Jim (2003). History of Dundalk FC - the First 100 Years. Dundalk: Jim Murphy. p. 344.
- "Ireland FAI Cup (1921-1994)". RSSSF. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- "FAI Cup Final". Irish Press. 2 May 1988. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
- Meagan, Jimmy (7 April 1987). "Eviston 'nets' major soccer award". Irish Press. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- "'Player' awards for Dundalk duo". Irish Independent. 23 April 1988. Retrieved 30 November 2019.