There are renewed hopes that a deal can be agreed to save Dundalk Football Club amid a perilous financial situation.
The future of the Louth side looked bleak on Sunday night when the club were forced to issue a statement saying that "the next 24 hours is a critical time".
Fans had feared that the Oriel Park side were set to fold by 5pm this afternoon unless a takeover could be agreed but owner Brian Ainscough insists the fight to keep the show on the road is continuing.
"There will be no liquidation today," he said.
Sports Minister Thomas Byrne confirmed the club will receive most if not all of the €500,000 it is seeking to develop the pitch and lights at Oriel Park, stating the Government was bringing forward this announcement to be helpful to the club at this "critical juncture."
Boston-based businessman Ainscough meanwhile confirmed that he was continuing talks with interested parties on a deal to take over the running of the 14-time League of Ireland champions.
Asked if a deal was close, Ainscough said: "I've been close to deals before and it hasn’t happened so we’ll see how it goes but I’m still fighting the fight to make sure there’s a club for everyone going forward."
It is understood that there are at least two parties interested in saving Dundalk FC, one of which involves a local businessman with no previous involvement at Oriel Park.
With debts well in excess of €1m, any deal is likely to involve the club entering the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process (SCARP) – a 45-day salvage scheme established in 2021 for insolvent companies, similar to examinership.
This would lead to debts being restructured and relegation to the First Division.
The Lilywhites, who have won five league titles, three FAI Cups and reached the Europa League group stages twice in the last decade, currently sit bottom of the Premier Division table.
What does the future hold for Dundalk FC?@Corktod reports from Oriel Park #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/P9P1gKCbpx
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 16, 2024
Dundalk supporters were preparing to gather at Oriel Park amid the possibility of folding.
There is now at least hope for those fans.
The Lilywhites are unable to fund the rest of the league campaign through their current owner, but the club confirmed that both players and coaches had received outstanding wages last Thursday.
However, the money was issued to Dundalk by the FAI in lieu of prize money and they remain unable to finance any further salaries without aid.
As well as that, there are a number of outstanding creditors as part of their debt, including local companies, authorities and Revenue.
Boston-based businessman Ainscough only took ownership of the club last December.
He revealed last week efforts to attract more investment needed had failed, putting the club's existence into jeopardy.
Current player Daryl Horgan, whose first stint with the Lilywhites saw the Republic of Ireland international win three league titles, and play in the group stages of the Europa League, admitted it was a "very difficult" situation but is hopeful the Louth side can turn the corner.
"At the moment there is a bit for a reprieve. We have to keep thinking something good will happen," he told RTÉ Sport.
"Football is an uncertain job at the best of times, you can live year to year, it became very worrisome, thinking what will happen. Today, everyone got very edgy altogether.
"It's horrible to be part of it, I have to say, but we have to put the best foot forward at this stage and think the best will happen from this."
The 32-year-old, who rejoined the club after a six-year career cross-channel that saw the Galway native play for Preston North End, Hibernian, Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage (on loan), insists that the league remains in a healthier position than when he departed in 2017, notwithstanding Dundalk’s grave position.
"Overall, the league is in a really good place," he said.
"No-one wants to see a club fold. We (players) don’t know the ins and outs of who might be coming in, if someone is coming in. We are in the dark about that, like everyone else, but we want the club to be here next year, the year after and the year after that.
"We have to play our part in that as well. We have helped out as much as we can so far and we will continue to do that."
John Murphy, who captained Dundalk to a league title in 1963, said that it was a 'sad situation' that the club had found themselves facing an unknown future.
"Very sad thoughts to see the situation we're in now at the moment," he told RTÉ Sport.
"We've gone through some wonderful times with Joey Donnelly [1942 FAI Cup winner], [former manager] Alan Fox, Stephen Kenny... and it's come to this, which is the wrong end of football.
"It's happened before but there doesn't seem to be much of a foundation here at the moment. The fans haven't been taken into consideration whatsoever
"It was just drifting along with the tide. The fans are the heartbeat of any club. Instead of that they were left out in the cold."
On the potential for new investors, Murphy added: "I'd be delighted with that. Friday night is like going to mass years ago.
"It's a way of life now. I played, was lucky enough to captain Dundalk in 1963 and I'm here at 86 years of age and I'm enjoying every minute of it.
"It's very sad to see the club in this situation it is. Hopefully it's the kick up the bum that we needed, that something drastic has to be done.
"Get everyone involved and get back to where Dundalk should be."
Orla Crilly, of Dundalk's The 1903 supporters club, pledged fan support for a prospective new owner, and said: "We've a very passionate fanbase who want to work with the new owners coming in and we'll do absolutely everything to get this club back on its feet and be a success in the future.
"Nobody across the League of Ireland fanbase wants to see Dundalk go under, and I would appeal to all the relevant parties that work within League of Ireland circles to do everything they can to help build sustainable models for all the clubs going forward, so that we don't just have to survive, that we can thrive going forward."
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