Talks pave way for ownership transition at Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC could be set for their third change in majority ownership in as many years, with US-based businessman Chris Clinton in discussions to assume control of the Oriel Park club following mediation with current owner John Temple over the weekend, The Democrat understands.

Clinton, 68, a Dublin native now based in Ohio, has resided in the United States since the mid-1980s.

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He was introduced as a minority shareholder in Dundalk FC in February 2024 by Brian Ainscough, from whom Temple later acquired an 80% controlling stake that September—an intervention that ultimately spared the club from the brink of liquidation.

Since then, Temple’s ownership has been diluted to 65%, while Clinton’s initial 5% shareholding was increased to 20% earlier this year. The remaining shares are held by fellow US-based investors John Keenan, Kevin Brayton, and Michael Cianci, all of whom were brought into the fold under the club’s previous ownership.

An emailed letter from Clinton—co-signed by Keenan and Brayton—was leaked to the national media, in which the trio threatened to withdraw their financial support unless Temple relinquished majority control of the club with immediate effect.

Temple, however, issued his response on Wednesday night via the Town End Podcast.

“I was asked last week to basically surrender my 65% because they didn’t like my business plan, and they wanted me to move away,” he said. “That’s what I was given—move on and surrender the 65%. It’s not a very reasonable offer.

“In fact, I was later given a monetary offer by Chris Clinton and on behalf of the other shareholders. The FAI have stepped in and said that’s not even a proper offer—that if you want to get this guy out, you’re going to have to come back with something.

“Basically, they offered terms of, ‘If we qualify for a licence, we’ll pay you so much, and if we get a licence next year, we’ll pay even more again.’ So my payments that they’re going to repay me to get me out of the club would be on the basis that Dundalk qualify for a licence next year. That’s not legal, it’s not viable, and it’s not business.

“There are at least two of the American shareholders that haven’t contributed anything towards the last year into this club, and a third has only contributed a third of a week’s wages, so I don’t understand—if they’re walking away—how the club is going to collapse.

“You can’t come in one arm as long as the other and say that these boys in America have millions behind them—and that’s the rumour: oh, there’s €2 million waiting to invest and stuff. If they have that money, then come now and buy me out.”

Clinton is understood to have arrived in Dundalk the following evening, having flown into Dublin to engage in discussions with Temple ahead of the club’s submission of its application to compete in next season’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

Despite widespread local and national reports on Thursday linking first-team manager Ciaran Kilduff with the vacant position at Waterford—with some even suggesting that the Kildare native had tendered his resignation at Oriel—Waterford moved on Friday to quash the speculation, clarifying that no approaches had been made to any candidate and that their sole focus remained on the upcoming promotion/relegation playoff with Bray Wanderers.

Later that day, Dundalk issued a statement of their own affirming that Kilduff remained in charge and would continue to lead the club as it approaches its centenary season in the League of Ireland in 2026.

“Dundalk Football Club’s shareholders acknowledge the vital role of our supporters, volunteers, sponsors, players, and staff at this important juncture for the club,” the statement read.

“In the best interests of Dundalk FC, shareholders Chris Clinton and John Temple have entered into mediation discussions regarding the club’s future and, crucially, the securing of a Premier Division licence for the 2026 season.

“The club remains fully committed to its ambitions on and off the pitch and is confident that Ciaran Kilduff is the right person to lead the team into the 2026 Premier Division campaign. Both Chris and John are working together to finalise an agreement that supports Ciaran and strengthens the long-term future of the club.

“We ask for the continued patience and understanding of our supporters during this period. Further updates will be provided in due course, most likely over the coming week.”

A further announcement from the club is expected by Wednesday, with sources close to Oriel suggesting that Clinton’s status as majority shareholder is likely to be formally confirmed.

It is not anticipated that Clinton would be joined by new investors at this stage, though he remains receptive to future investment opportunities, with indications that preliminary contact has already been established with at least one local party.

Although Donal Greene—a Bay Estate native currently residing in Slovakia—has provided assistance to Clinton in recent weeks, the former Dundalk youth team goalkeeper is not expected to have a role in any prospective new ownership structure.