“I loved Dundalk and the people in it” says Keely

Former Dundalk FC captain and manager Dermot Keely celebrated the release of his new autobiography with a Q&A session in the Lilywhite Lounge at Oriel Park.

Titled ‘Better Without The Ball’ and co-authored with Neil O’Riordan, Chief Sports Writer for the Irish Sun, the book chronicles the life of the 70-year-old Dubliner, who became a legend not only in Dundalk, but across the League of Ireland and beyond.

Keely started out as a central-defender with Home Farm, and by the age of 21, played a pivotal role in the Whitehall outfit’s FAI Cup final success of 1975 – an achievement which sowed the seeds for a remarkable career that spanned both sides of the border.

He moved to Dundalk from St Patrick’s Athletic in 1978, spending three years at Oriel before leaving in 1981 for a spell in the Irish League with Glentoran, where the last of his Q&A sessions took place before The Glens’ fixture with Glenavon on Saturday afternoon.

In the book, he recalls the tragic circumstances from which his move to Dundalk came about, after an impressive showing for St Pats against The Lilywhites in January 1978.

“There was some interest from Dundalk on account of a game earlier in the season which is mostly remembered for the tragic and sudden death of their player Brian McConville later that evening,” he writes.

“During the match, I had been at my wrecking-ball best. I spent the 90 minutes battering all and sundry. Jim McLaughlin was playing left-full and Brian right-full but they ended up playing as two centre-forwards to try and put manners on me.

“That game was to have a profound effect on my career as it provided me with the chance to play under McLaughlin for which I am eternally grateful.

“His passing in August 2024 aged 83 prompted a renewed appreciation for his achievements and legacy, both of which I had always been acutely aware.

“After Brian McConville, Tommy’s brother, had passed away, I think Jim was looking for a young Brian. On the pitch, Brian had been mad and fought everybody’s battles. I think he saw that in me and believed I would be able to play right-back.”

Player-manager stints at UCD, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers all preceded a return to Dundalk for Keely, this time replacing Turlough O’Connor in the Oriel dugout in 1993.

Despite a financial crisis embroiling the club, Dundalk were crowned Premier Division winners in 1995 after a 2-0 home win over Galway United on the final day of the season.

“We had won the title on the last day,” recalls Keely in his book. “We had not led the league at any stage in the season. The only time we topped the table was on the last day, the only time it mattered.

“I had taken the manager’s job because of my time as a player with Dundalk FC. I was wearing rose-coloured glasses when I took the job, as usual, no due diligence was done, I just went with my gut feeling. The job turned out to be really difficult.

“I loved Dundalk and the people in it, but having such close ties can sometimes cloud your judgement. I really wanted to be a success in Dundalk for a second time.

“During that season I felt I was continuously putting out fires and when we were winning matches the problems off the field diminished.”

A third league-title win as a manager arrived in 2000 with Shelbourne, the same club where the retired school teacher finished his League of Ireland career a decade later.

After moving to Spain, he learned that his father, Peter, had declined a chance to join Leeds United, similar to his own rejection of Celtic – a revelation that sparked a desire to document his own career, a wish deepened by the sad loss of his son Alan in May 2021.

The launch event, attended by a large crowd in the Lilywhite Lounge, featured Keely sharing fond memories from his escapades with Dundalk and in the League of Ireland.

‘Better Without The Ball’ is now available to buy online at choicepublishing.ie for €20.