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.
Season summary The 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. But the League Cup was surrendered in the first round, when County Louth neighbours Drogheda United defeated them on penalties. Later that season, they lost the Leinster Senior Cup final. 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. They fell 10-points behind Bohemians, but subsequently charged to the title, sealing it on the final day away to defending champions Athlone. 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.
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. 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. A 1–0 defeat in White Hart Lane ultimately ended their interest in the competition.
First-Team Squad (1981–82) Sources: No.NameYearsLeagueFAI CupLeague CupEuropeOtheraTotalGoals1 Richie Blackmore 1974–1985 30 7 1 4 5 47 02 1977–1995 29 7 1 4 6 47 53 Paddy Dunning 1977–1983 29 7 0 4 4 44 24 1967–1986 30 7 1 4 5 47 05 1981–1983 30 7 1 4 3 45 16 1977–1983 29 7 1 4 3 44 107 1980–1993 30 7 1 4 5 46 78 Leo Flanagan 1978–1983 30 7 1 4 5 47 149 1979–1984 27 7 1 4 3 42 2010 Brian Duff 1977–1982 14 0 1 4 3 22 911 Hilary Carlyle 1978–1984 22 4 0 4 1 31 1212 Ollie Ralph 1981–1983 14 7 0 0 2 23 513 Willie Crawley 1977–1995 8 3 1 0 6 18 514 Jerome Clarke 1980–1982 15 5 0 0 4 24 115 John Archbold 1980–1983 8 2 1 4 1 16 116 Robbie Lawlor 1980–1983 5 4 1 0 5 15 1
a. Includes the Leinster Senior Cup and LFA President's Cup.
Competitions LFA President's Cup Source:
Dundalk won 4–3 on aggregate
League Cup Source: First round
Leinster Senior Cup Source: First round
Quarter Final
Semi-final
Final
FAI Cup Source: First round
Second round
Quarter Final
Semi-final
Semi-final (first replay)
Semi-final (second replay)
Semi-final (third replay)
League Source:
League table
Europe Cup Winners' Cup First round
Dundalk won 5–2 on aggregate.
Second round
Awards Player of the Month MonthPlayerReferencesSeptember Barry KehoeApril Tommy McConville
References Bibliography
Citations
External links Dundalk F.C. on YouTube Tottenham Hotspur 1–0 Dundalk Highlights