3 days Ago
The situation at Oriel Park could have a detrimental impact on the whole league. Photo: Sportsfile Louth-based TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has called for Brian Ainscough, owner of troubled Dundalk FC, to take his time before making any immediate decision on the club’s future, which could potentially put the Lilywhites out of business as early as this evening. The club issued a statement on Sunday night saying they were entering into a “critical” 24-hour period, amid reports locally that Dundalk would declare bankruptcy as early as today, claims dismissed by the club.
Dubliner Ainscough, who took over control of the club at the start of the 2024 season, has admitted the club’s financial situation is dire and he has so far struggled to bring in the immediate investment needed to stay afloat for the rest of the campaign, whatever about their long-term prospects. He had set a deadline of 5pm today in the hope of adding some investment to stay in football. Dundalk fans are grimly awaiting news that could potentially include the club folding and exiting the league, which would have a dramatic impact on the rest of the league as their results for the season to date would have to be expunged.
“The only thing that matters is ensuring that Dundalk FC survives. It has one of the finest legacies of any team in the League of Ireland. "We all know what this will impact in relation to the results, if the worst was to happen, of the league this year and it also draws into question the entire integrity and the ability of the league altogether,” Sinn Féin TD Ó Murchú told LMFM today.
“Dundalk is too big to fail. We need to make sure that doesn’t happen, so we need Brian Ainscough to give enough time and to allow a proper rescue package to be put in place. “I believe it is possible.
It is very difficult, but it is possible to put something together, what we need is an amount of time to be given and then we need to make sure that everybody, who is willing to put their money where their mouth is, steps up for Dundalk and that we have its sustainable management team and a process and a system that can work into the future.” Minister Thomas Byrne TD also told local radio that he spoke with the FAI last week about the Dundalk situation and his department was being updated. Dundalk, bottom of the Premier Division, are due to play away to Sligo Rovers on Saturday.
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