The 2011 season was Dundalk's third successive season in the League of Ireland Premier Division following promotion in 2008. Altogether, it was the club's 85th season in League of Ireland football. The club was managed by Ian Foster, who was in his second season in charge. The club finished the 36-match season in 7th position having been challenging at the top of the table for the first half of the season. The club also competed in the FAI Cup, League of Ireland Cup, Setanta Sports Cup, and the Leinster Senior Cup. In the Setanta Sports Cup they reached the final, but lost to Shamrock Rovers F.C.
After losing the final, and with the playing budget already being restricted by the club's owner, Gerry Matthews, results subsequently deteriorated as the season drew to a close. Financial losses were mounting, and Matthews decided to relinquish control of the club. Foster's contract expired at the end of the season and he was allowed to leave.
2011 Fixtures and results
Setanta Sports Cup 2011
First Round
First leg
Second leg
Dundalk won 6 − 4 on aggregate
Quarter-Finals
First leg
Second leg
Dundalk won 2 − 1 on aggregate
Semi−Finals
First leg
Second leg
Dundalk won 5−2 on aggregate
Final
Leinster Senior Cup
First Round
League of Ireland Cup
Second Round
FAI Cup
Third Round
League of Ireland Premier Division League table
2011 squad
2011 pre-season transfers In: Jason Byrne from Bohemians (Free transfer) Mark Quigley from Bohemians (Free transfer) Keith Ward from UCD (Free transfer) Eoghan Osborne from Drogheda United (Free transfer) Michael Hector from Reading (On loan) Greg Bolger from Sporting Fingal (Free transfer) Colin Hawkins from Sporting Fingal (Free transfer) Shane Guthrie from St. Patrick's Athletic (On loan)Out: Shaun Kelly (Released) Matthew Tipton to Portadown (Free transfer) Fahrudin Kuduzović to SV Eintracht Trier 05 (Free transfer) Wayne Hatswell to Newport County (Free transfer) Garry Breen to Portadown (Free transfer) Ciarán McGuigan to Syrianska (Free transfer) Tom Miller to Newport County (Undisclosed) Alan Cawley to Portadown (Free transfer) Steven Lennon to Newport County (Free transfer) Liam Burns to Bohemians (Free transfer)
2011 mid-season transfers In:Out: Michael Hector to Reading (Loan ended) Shane Guthrie to St. Patrick's Athletic (Loan ended)
References