A quick return to the top division must be a priority for Dundalk

There’s a line in one of Bob Dylan’s numbers which goes: “When you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.” As they set out on what is arguably one the most crucial seasons Dundalk FC have ever faced, it would be wrong to say they have nothing.

There’s a loyal band of supporters; a new, but well structured, sideline team determined to make their first strike a winning one; and a club management anxious not the repeat the damaging mistakes of the recent past.

If there’s nothing to lose, there’s plenty to be gained. Like a quick return to the Premier League. After a 2024 season beset with boardroom turmoil, changing hands, and constant defeat on the field, the team's new manager, Ciarán Kilduff, pieces together can have only one serious aim, and that is to get back to the top tier.

A Dundalk side hasn’t played in the First Division in two decades. When first placed there, in the late 1990s, it was expected to be only a short stay.

But despite winning the Cup, and having a brief return to the top, it was well into the first of this century’s decades when the country’s top teams came to consistently visit Oriel.

Cork City, against whom Dundalk had some stirring battles in the Stephen Kenny era, took a nosedive a few seasons ago. They didn’t make it back at the first time of asking, but are now well established in the top grade.

Dundalk might not have all that much time to recover. To keep the momentum going that’s been built in the close season, nothing would be of greater assistance than a winning run in the league.

Winning matches in the Cup would be welcome, but it’s what happens when there are points of offer that matters. Having the likes of Kerry and Treaty visiting would be a novelty, but also stretching supporters’ loyalty to the limit if the Munstermen became regulars. In addition, it would make gathering enough finance to keep the show on the road that much harder.

Europe is where the big money is. There’s none of that available, however, to teams competing in the lower reaches, unless one of them wins the Cup.

A long-time denizen of The Shed was saying during the week that the vibes coming from Oriel are “good”. That’s a start. Needed now are positive results.

Kilduff is said to be happy with the way things are progressing. The teams he fields will probably bear little resemblance to last year’s.

There has been a number of new signings, who, if they give Kilduff the same return as those Stephen Kenny brought in did, his job will be much easier.

Throwing the white shirt over his shoulders will be nothing new to Darl Horgan. A veteran of many battles fought in greater arenas than those he’ll frequent this season, his display of loyalty in staying on is something Orielites should be quick to appreciate. Manager Kilduff must already be aware of the former International’s value on the training ground.

Words spoken by Stephen Kenny when the Oriel sideboard was accommodating trophy after trophy come back to mind: “Enjoy the goods days, they don’t last forever,” he said.

Yes, but there’s no reason to say they can never return. Stephen is now in charge at St Patrick’s Athletic, and in a bid to topple Shelbourne off their perch has signed that man of many clubs and medals, former Dundalk player, Seán Hoare.

Kenny’s son, Eoin, will again be in the Dundalk jersey, and no doubt the youngster would probably love nothing better to be back in opposition to his dad, as he was last season when victory in the household battle went his way.