{"id":162897,"date":"2025-11-27T18:14:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-27T18:14:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/162897\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T18:14:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T18:14:11","slug":"dundalk-fc-statement-response-to-recent-media-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/162897\/","title":{"rendered":"Dundalk FC Statement: Response to recent media reports"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/753849_44ef621fed1e43f29adf8a8f7a3d667a~mv2.jpg\" alt=\"Photo by Sportsfile\" style=\"width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%;max-width:100%\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.dundalkfc.com\/dundalk-fc-statement-response-to-recent-media-reports\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/static.wixstatic.com\/media\/753849_44ef621fed1e43f29adf8a8f7a3d667a~mv2.jpg\/v1\/fill\/w_1600,h_1014,al_c,q_85\/753849_44ef621fed1e43f29adf8a8f7a3d667a~mv2.jpg\" draggable=\"false\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-jgmvo454\">Dundalk FC notes the recent media reports published on Wednesday, 26 November, regarding comments made by Mr John Temple in relation to the ownership and contractual arrangements between himself and club owner, Chris Clinton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-01awp457\">Speaking on behalf of Dundalk FC, Executive Director Chris Clinton has confirmed that the signed agreement between both parties is being honoured and that significant agreed payments have been made in accordance with a timely schedule. Mr Clinton also noted that, as is standard in transactions of this nature, there are normal administrative and legal processes which require time to complete, and these could be processed as expected with cooperation. The club will not be commenting further on the details of what remains a private commercial matter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-oe3h5460\">\u201cI understand that the events of the last 24 hours have caused frustration and concern,\u201d Mr Clinton said. \u201cAs someone who cares deeply about this club, I don\u2019t want off-field issues to overshadow the excellent work being done by our staff, players, and volunteers, or the excitement around our return to the Premier Division.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-vyzsf463\">\u201cMy focus \u2013 and the focus of everyone at Oriel Park \u2013 is on delivering a new pitch, a stronger, better-structured club off the field, and a competitive team on it. I\u2019m grateful for the backing we\u2019ve had from our supporters and the Dundalk FC Supporters\u2019 Trust, and I will work hard to earn and keep that trust in the months and years ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-zk9at466\">The Dundalk FC Supporters\u2019 Trust has committed substantial funding to support the installation of the new pitch at Oriel Park which represents an example of the close working relationship between the various partners. This is a positive sign of the cooperation and transparency that now exists between the club\u2019s ownership, the Management Board, the Dundalk FC Supporters\u2019 Trust and the club\u2019s fanbase.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-71f3b469\">The Management Board continues its dedicated work to ensure that all Football Association of Ireland club licensing requirements are being fully met. Preparations for the forthcoming 2026 League of Ireland season are progressing well, with a continued focus on strengthening operations and governance across the organisation, as well as supporting first team and the academy teams at the club, as outlined. <\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-b167b474\">The transformation of Oriel Park has taken a major step forward, with work now underway on the removal of the existing surface and installation of a new pitch. Weather permitting, we remain optimistic that the new playing surface will be completed before Christmas. This is a long-term investment in the club\u2019s future and a key part of modernising our facilities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-6yby4477\">Partnering with the Dundalk FC Supporters&#8217; Trust<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-lcckz479\">The Dundalk FC Supporters&#8217; Trust has committed to provide the full deposit required to draw down sports grant funding for the pitch. This support has freed up internal funds to be used in other critical areas of the club. The Trust was founded to support infrastructural projects like this, and their backing is a powerful example of what can be achieved when the club and supporters work in partnership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-5tpuz482\">Strengthening structures and sustainability<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-ehutr484\">The newly constituted Management Board has already begun addressing the club\u2019s financial position, including the 2024 loss. The clear objective is to move Dundalk FC towards a more sustainable footing, with a realistic path to improving results in 2025 and targeting breakeven in 2026. That work is ongoing and will form the basis for conversations with sponsors and partners over the coming months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-9jh2w487\">Manager and Backroom Team confirmed<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-lhb2k489\">Head Coach Ciar\u00e1n Kilduff has agreed a new two-year contract, providing continuity and leadership as the club returns to the SSE Airtricity Men\u2019s Premier Division in its centenary season. Assistant Manager Ken Kiernan and Strength &amp; Conditioning Coach Ronan Murray have committed to continue in their roles for the 2026 season. Both played key parts in last year\u2019s promotion and will be central to preparations for the step up in level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-v7f8o492\">First new signing announced<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-otap0494\">Dundalk FC is delighted to confirm the signing of defender Harvey Warren, following an impressive 2025 campaign with Bray Wanderers. Harvey represents the type of hungry, talented player we want at the club, and further additions will follow as we continue to build the squad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-ev35a497\">More announcements upcoming<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-dmywc499\">Season tickets for the 2026 campaign will go on sale imminently, as part of the club\u2019s wider preparations for the new season. Further announcements regarding commercial partnerships, supporter initiatives, and club development plans will also follow in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"IFLJx f1-1G KVAVd sDlj2\" dir=\"auto\" id=\"viewer-v4emy502\">Dundalk FC remains fully committed to serving its supporters, partners, and the broader community of Dundalk with transparency, professionalism, and ambition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dundalk FC notes the recent media reports published on Wednesday, 26 November, regarding comments made by Mr John&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":114503,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":{"0":"post-162897","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-headlines","9":"tag-news","10":"tag-top-news","11":"tag-top-stories","12":"tag-topnews","13":"tag-topstories"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=162897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/162897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=162897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=162897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=162897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}