Hull City owners to take majority stake in Dundalk?

[redarmyfaction]

SNAFU https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2024/11/20/owner-of-dundalk-fc-claims-debt-firm-wrongfully-appointed-receiver-over-property/

[Mr A]

The fact that the property is on Hoey's Lane just adds a lovely little touch to that story.

[Longfordian]

Johnny No Bobs?

[redarmyfaction]

https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/time-bought-for-dundalk-as-league-of-ireland-licensing-date-pushed-back/

[Eminence Grise]

According to the article on LMFM...


Dundalk have been tittered on the edge of extinction

Not sure if the hack means licencing is a laughing matter or clubs are laughing at Dundalk's woes. Maybe it's an obscure bust joke.

Or maybe the poor boob just can't spell.

[FabioMane19]

https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/time-bought-for-dundalk-as-league-of-ireland-licensing-date-pushed-back/

Surely the whole point of licensing is to prove your professional and ability to meet requirements on time? Does pushing the deadline, for any club, not just Craptown, fly in the face of that?

I'd have thought punishment rather than changing the expectations would be the response from the League here??

[Nesta99]

Surely the whole point of licensing is to prove your professional and ability to meet requirements on time? Does pushing the deadline, for any club, not just Craptown, fly in the face of that?

I'd have thought punishment rather than changing the expectations would be the response from the League here??

I suppose it does so fair point Declan. As United Park fails many Premier Licensing requirements, derrogations should cease and relegation imposed!

Seriously though, licencing should be a tick box exercise, pass or fail. To apply things to the letter well we could have had a 22 teams 1st Division at times. Its impractical to be absolute yet it encourages things around infrastructure not being done. So is Licencing a load of ******, well not entirely but.....

[oriel]

Surely the whole point of licensing is to prove your professional and ability to meet requirements on time? Does pushing the deadline, for any club, not just Craptown, fly in the face of that?

I'd have thought punishment rather than changing the expectations would be the response from the League here??

Good man Fabio, the big fella after Drogs first major trophy in 17 years. You weren't too far off removed from the PD around 2008, owed 500K to Revenue, also 10k to Bohs for rent of Dalymount for Euro games and entered examinership.

The punishment you refer to here, you may have forgotten you got off very lightly and it was 'changing the expectations' you avoided the relegation that Shels and Derry faced around same era.

[joey B]

https://www.lmfm.ie/news/sport/gartland-wins-case-for-unfair-dismissal-against-dundalk/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIG_TdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHa05utwg4qUs EjJwkd4YmsyasTwazqGOBOEZ_RRmLgbI0JqDQ0jupCz9vg_aem _iJ66LgEIdyqTMZQsTrwaqA

Brian Gartland took and won an unfair dismissal case against Dundalk ,awarded 53000 euro, compensation of 4 weeks' salary for his terms of employment being breached, as well as just over €8,000 in outstanding wages.…

[smasherdrog]

Ruling ....https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/cases/2025/january/adj-00052398.html

[Yossarian]

There’s a lot of detail in the ruling and it highlights how poorly run the club has been for the last few years. It’s also a terrible reflection on the current owner that he didn’t even bother attending the hearing even though he’s now liable for the award.

[pineapple stu]

Ruling ....https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/cases/2025/january/adj-00052398.html


The fourth complaint concerns penalisation for raising health and safety concerns for the players in his charge arising from the medical condition of the manager. This complaint falls squarely within the Protected Disclosures Act. The complainant was initially threatened with dismissal, was then awaiting dismissal and ultimately was dismissed from his position.
Christ almighty. How stupid do you have to be to sack someone for raising health and safety issues?

[total hoofball]

Ainscough really was some charlatan

[joey B]

Christ almighty. How stupid do you have to be to sack someone for raising health and safety issues?

Temple seemed to want to exonerate him from much of the blame for Dundalks problems and he wasn’t the main culprit,but in terms of being an owner of a LOI club he was quite clearly an imbecile…..

[bohsmug]

Temple seemed to want to exonerate him from much of the blame for Dundalks problems and he wasn’t the main culprit,but in terms of being an owner of a LOI club he was quite clearly an imbecile…..

Yeah, I agree. Completely incompetent. The review of other previous owners can be seperated and they could well have been just as damaging - I don't know.
He was not fit for this at all.

[pineapple stu]

Ainscough really was some charlatan
Temple doesn't come out of this well either in fairness -


The initial hearing took place on 18 October 2024 where the new owner of the respondent club indicated that he had just taken over the club recently and was not aware that there were any proceedings in train. [...] The hearing was adjourned to allow the respondent to make written submissions. [...] No submissions were made by the respondent regarding the substantive issues to be heard by the WRC. However, the respondent indicated in advance of the hearing that they would not be in attendance as the hearing was taking place outside the legal term. As the WRC does not operate in accordance with the legal term, and since the respondent had received adequate notice of the hearing, the hearing proceeded as scheduled in the absence of the respondent.
That's amateur hour stuff.

[sbgawa]

Id say the WRC adjudicator enjoyed putting the Barrister right about the WRC operating outside the legal term.
Not showing up and offering a defence will have cost them any mitigation.

[dundalkfc10]

Christ almighty. How stupid do you have to be to sack someone for raising health and safety issues?

I agree 100%. Should have just sacked him for his atrocious transfer signings

I understand Dundalk are 100% wrong here as a club, but Gartland talks about getting abuse around town. Ive a feeling that may just be about to get worse for him

[2 Year Contract]

I understand Dundalk are 100% wrong here as a club, but Gartland talks about getting abuse around town. Ive a feeling that may just be about to get worse for him

Strange folk up there if that’s the case. Why would a man that's by your own reckoning, 0% in the wrong, be in for some increased abuse around the town because he’s won a case against the circus of a football club that employed him? Either way he can just stuff his ears with €500 notes now so he won’t have to listen to the local oddballs :)

[John83]

You've met football fans, right?

[2 Year Contract]

You've met football fans, right?
Good point haha, I’d have thought the fact that he’s a club legend would’ve saw some brains rule the footballing heart but hey ho

[pineapple stu]

I think he sent me off once for handball outside the box in one of those 5-a-side cage tournaments, so sounds like I might be able to use this as good cover :p

[dundalkfc10]

Good point haha, I’d have thought the fact that he’s a club legend would’ve saw some brains rule the footballing heart but hey ho

Short memories in some football fans. Sean Gannon one of our greatest ever players got a pigs head thrown at him when he came back to Oriel.
The abuse Richie Towell got when he came to back to the LOI was disgraceful at times (especially the chants about his dead dog)

We have a very fickle fan base and I know their is an awful lot of upset around about Gartland and the signings we made when he was director of football

[oriel]

Strange folk up there if that’s the case. Why would a man that's by your own reckoning, 0% in the wrong, be in for some increased abuse around the town because he’s won a case against the circus of a football club that employed him? Either way he can just stuff his ears with €500 notes now so he won’t have to listen to the local oddballs :)

It seems blatantly obvious the previous regime led by BA did not follow the employment law / steps when dismissing him, but it seems also unfair that the current scene has to pay for it. Read a post on oriel web and maybe a fair point, he should have looked for a settlement out of court maybe, going ahead with a personal claim and knowing full well the clubs dire finances will not do him any favours locally where he still lives also given he took up employment very soon after. Well apart from the 60k whenever that lands. Local rumours also he managed to get a pay out from a local health food brand he was a face for, so he had a template to follow.

Brilliant player, and what a part he played in the SK era, he was outstanding, and the 4 man of Gannon, Boyle, Gartland, Massey will live long in possibly best back 4 we ever had. (For older readers Tommy McConville, Dermot Keely, Paddy Dunning and Martin Lawlor were the other 4).

Just a real shame how it ended with BG, as again I`m sure it could have been better managed than how it ended. I`m trying to balance it out as best I can, Noel King disastrous month, again BA madness, then BG coming in as joint caretaker, look it was a mess, everyone knew that. BA telling a fan to go 'fxxx himself'; on twitter on the NK appointment, christ the more I think about it I need to put a claim in for the stress.

Honest Q for Pats fans, how is he rated as a coach now, as his selection of players in 2024 in first half of season was off the scales, not all his watch, but a lot was.

[Another Bohemia]

It seems blatantly obvious the previous regime led by BA did not follow the employment law / steps when dismissing him, but it seems also unfair that the current scene has to pay for it. Read a post on oriel web and maybe a fair point, he should have looked for a settlement out of court maybe, going ahead with a personal claim and knowing full well the clubs dire finances will not do him any favours locally where he still lives also given he took up employment very soon after. Well apart from the 60k whenever that lands. Local rumours also he managed to get a pay out from a local health food brand he was a face for, so he had a template to follow.

Brilliant player, and what a part he played in the SK era, he was outstanding, and the 4 man of Gannon, Boyle, Gartland, Massey will live long in possibly best back 4 we ever had. (For older readers Tommy McConville, Dermot Keely, Paddy Dunning and Martin Lawlor were the other 4).

Just a real shame how it ended with BG, as again I`m sure it could have been better managed than how it ended. I`m trying to balance it out as best I can, Noel King disastrous month, again BA madness, then BG coming in as joint caretaker, look it was a mess, everyone knew that. BA telling a fan to go 'fxxx himself'; on twitter on the NK appointment, christ the more I think about it I need to put a claim in for the stress.

Honest Q for Pats fans, how is he rated as a coach now, as his selection of players in 2024 in first half of season was off the scales, not all his watch, but a lot was.

Are you sure he was even offered a settlement? Temple not even sending representation would lead me to believe he either thought there was nothing in the case and they'd win or the amount Gartland would be given would be pennies.

Also I think it's relevant that Gartland is now an assistant coach, while with Dundalk he was a technical director or sporting director? These are 2 very different roles. He's essentially had to change his career after what happened in Dundalk last year. I'm sure some of it was his fault (you'd be hard pushed to find someone who's hands weren't dirty in there imo) but I also vaguely remember ownership was up in the air for so long, there was no budget agreed and that hampered player recruitment? Didn't O'Donnell do an interview at the time saying as much?

I'm wary that Dundalk fans see Temple as some sort of faultless savior. There's been a few red flags in his ownership so far but at least there is a trust set up now should the worst happen again

[pineapple stu]

Open legal cases should have come out in due diligence and been a factor in any amount paid to buy the club.

You can't get out of debts by saying "Well I bought the club in the meantime and it wasn't my fault"

[Yossarian]

Are you sure he was even offered a settlement? Temple not even sending representation would lead me to believe he either thought there was nothing in the case and they'd win or the amount Gartland would be given would be pennies.

Also I think it's relevant that Gartland is now an assistant coach, while with Dundalk he was a technical director or sporting director? These are 2 very different roles. He's essentially had to change his career after what happened in Dundalk last year. I'm sure some of it was his fault (you'd be hard pushed to find someone who's hands weren't dirty in there imo) but I also vaguely remember ownership was up in the air for so long, there was no budget agreed and that hampered player recruitment? Didn't O'Donnell do an interview at the time saying as much?

I'm wary that Dundalk fans see Temple as some sort of faultless savior. There's been a few red flags in his ownership so far but at least there is a trust set up now should the worst happen again

I don’t think there was any settlement offered to Gartland and the club could really have sorted this by dealing directly with him. There also appears to be another couple of cases in the WRC that will come to fruition in the next couple of months. While Gartlands record as sporting director was poor, it doesn’t excuse being shabbily treated by the club. I don’t fault him for taking the case at all as I would do the same if my employer treated me like that.

I don’t get that a lot of Dundalk supporters seem to see Temple as some kind of white knight. For one thing there should be huge skepticism because of our recent ownership history. He has already told the new supporters trust that the club is well funded and that he doesn’t want their involvement. Personally I hope he succeeds as that means the club is succeeding but I’ll hold back on any judgement yet.

[oriel]

Are you sure he was even offered a settlement? Temple not even sending representation would lead me to believe he either thought there was nothing in the case and they'd win or the amount Gartland would be given would be pennies.

Also I think it's relevant that Gartland is now an assistant coach, while with Dundalk he was a technical director or sporting director? These are 2 very different roles. He's essentially had to change his career after what happened in Dundalk last year. I'm sure some of it was his fault (you'd be hard pushed to find someone who's hands weren't dirty in there imo) but I also vaguely remember ownership was up in the air for so long, there was no budget agreed and that hampered player recruitment? Didn't O'Donnell do an interview at the time saying as much?

I'm wary that Dundalk fans see Temple as some sort of faultless saviour. There's been a few red flags in his ownership so far but at least there is a trust set up now should the worst happen again

Christ, not sure about that, and at a lot of levels, I`m a member of the DFC Trust, we have 250+ members now (I think) all paying in weekly or monthly, a significant figure banked already, won't share it here, but lets say it will get the club out of spot if needed. The message though is clear, the group have a constitution voted by members, funds can be allocated to DFC for emergency funding, but never for wages, or historical debt, more projects, ground improvements, academy, etc, but again its available if the club needs it and voted by members, a rainy day fund if you like.

Temple in my book did great work saving the club on 16-Sept last year, but jury most certainly out in my book. Words / Actions etc.

[TonyD]

Honest Q for Pats fans, how is he rated as a coach now, as his selection of players in 2024 in first half of season was off the scales, not all his watch, but a lot was.

It’s hard to say to be honest. Pats were flying for the last third of the season, as everyone knows, so does he get any credit for that ? Impossible to tell unless you’re there behind the scenes. I don’t imagine he has much input into player recruitment. I wasn’t particularly happy to see him arrive tbh (I recall one incident where he was being a dick with some Pats fans behind the away dugout when he wasn’t playing (the Pas fans were more than old enough to know better and not to be getting involved with him, but still).

[oriel]

I`m not sure he will bring that much to the table, brilliant player and fearless, just not so sure on his coaching, was surprised to see SK go or him.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him leave Pats this season. Time will tell.

[2 Year Contract]

https://x.com/dundalkfc/status/1886140877870903362?s=46

Whatever about fans having the craic, the official club account coming out with this is peak embarrassment. It’s also the sort of stuff that puts off other LOI fans from financially supporting the club when the begging buckets come out. To be fair a good few Dundalk fans in the replies agree. Maybe it’s time for the club to take control of the official online voice of Dundalk FC away from the 15 year old that’s seemingly had it over the weekend ;)

[Nesta99]

Social media trash! Should be just ignored but if it got people commenting and to engage then I suppose its had the desired effect.

[oriel]

https://x.com/dundalkfc/status/1886140877870903362?s=46

Whatever about fans having the craic, the official club account coming out with this is peak embarrassment. It’s also the sort of stuff that puts off other LOI fans from financially supporting the club when the begging buckets come out. To be fair a good few Dundalk fans in the replies agree. Maybe it’s time for the club to take control of the official online voice of Dundalk FC away from the 15 year old that’s seemingly had it over the weekend ;)

More like a 12 yo who was in charge, it was absolutely cringe stuff. I would say 95% of DFC fans would think this was big OG.

[2 Year Contract]

More money down the drain (how does it go again?) Dundalk are back again ;)

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/martin-connolly-unfair-dismissal-dundalk-35071622? (https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/martin-connolly-unfair-dismissal-dundalk-35071622?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=communities)

[Martinho II]

More money down the drain (how does it go again?) Dundalk are back again ;)

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/martin-connolly-unfair-dismissal-dundalk-35071622? (https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/martin-connolly-unfair-dismissal-dundalk-35071622?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=communities)

yeah got alert on my phone few mins ago on this! Ainscough has a lot to answer for!

[Elfman]

Agreed and it's a bit worrying that the current owner of Dundalk praised Ainscough but criticised the past owners before him. I hope he doesn't turn out to be cut from a similar cloth as Ainscough, for Dundalk's sake.

[ger121]

The only thing more certain than a Dundalk win in the 1st Division, is a Dundalk loss in the WRC.

[Longfordian]

Martin Connolly's barrister, Aaron Shearer. Did he play in the LOI at one stage? Monaghan springs to mind.

[2 Year Contract]

The only thing more certain than a Dundalk win in the 1st Division, is a Dundalk loss in the WRC.
True, particularly when they don’t send anyone to the hearing again!

[mcgonigle]

True, particularly when they don’t send anyone to the hearing again!

They did

[2 Year Contract]

They did
Sorry you’re correct, I misinterpreted something that said they made no representation to the court. Turns out they just provided no evidence at the hearing

[outspoken]

Do Dundalk ACTUALLY have to pay this?

[oriel]

That's what I was thinking, one thing getting the award, another thing getting paid, and good luck with trying to get this current entity of DFC to pay that.

Almost sure Gartland has not been paid his award.

Ainscough was some spoofer.

Fun times.

[Nesta99]

Does licencing inlude unpaid 'wages' to players only or is it football related staff? Either way when JT bought the club and didnt use SCARP Id think that this is a debt carried forward and will have to be paid. The WRC can add sanctions for non compliance albeit it would take a court to enforce a judgement. Easier and cheaper to pay. Even a spoofer should make an attempt at some process of firing someone, have a go at applying a termination clause maybe!!. The recent payout seems more of wages lost eg notice period than compensaton so just move on.

Make a role redundant not a person - much easier to defend.

[Longfordian]

Do Dundalk ACTUALLY have to pay this?

Yes. Unless they wind up the company. The award can be enforced in court. Doesn't matter that it was different owners, the company owes the money.

[pineapple stu]

Yep. New owners should have been aware of issues like this through due diligence and should have factored it into purchase price.

Do we have any sort of fit and proper person test here? This seems ridiculous nonsense from Ainscough