Dundalk shareholders enter mediation discussions in effort to secure Premier Division licence

Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff, right, with Dundalk chairman John Temple, Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Dundalk’s nightmare week took an upward turn on Halloween as the club’s two major shareholders confirmed they have entered into mediation discussions to solve their differences.

The Co Louth side also remain hopeful of hanging onto manager Ciarán Kilduff despite speculation that he had quit his position on Thursday.

There has been a civil war of sorts at Oriel Park for the past eight or nine days with a motion of no confidence in chairman John Temple from supporters’ group the 1903 being followed up by a similar statement from three of the club’s four US-based shareholders, Chris Clinton, John Keenan and Kevin Brayton, who demanded he hand over his 65% stake or they would “take all steps we consider necessary to protect Dundalk FC’s interests".

With this demand rejected by local barrister Temple – who rescued the club from the brink of closure in September 2024 – it led to supporter fears that the SSE Airtricity League First Division title winners would be unable to secure a licence to compete in the Premier Division next season.

While that still remains up in the air, with works required to replace both the playing surface and floodlights at Oriel Park, the club have confirmed that its shareholders have now agreed to work together to ensure the 14-time league winners get over the line to compete in the top flight in what will be their 100th year in the League of Ireland in 2026.

A statement from Dundalk FC said that the shareholders were willing to work together to secure the club’s future.

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

“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 Ciarán 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 Ciarán 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.” 

It is understood that the impasse was broken on Thursday when Clinton flew into Dublin for talks with Temple. 

The Ohio-based businessman is also understood to have held extensive talks with Kilduff on Friday, with the 37-year-old having become disillusioned with the off-field battles at the club.

Kilduff had been linked with the Waterford FC job on Thursday but the RSC outfit released their own statement on Friday clarifying that “no offer has been made to any candidate for the First Team Manager position.” 

Local barrister Temple said in an interview with The Town End podcast on Wednesday that he remained hopeful of Dundalk FC securing a licence for 2026, with a €454,000 Sports Capital Grant set to assist in ensuring Oriel Park is brought up to the required level for the club’s return to the top flight following relegation in 2024.