The previous season had been dogged by an early season row over player expenses, which had seen two players depart acrimoniously;[1] while the death of club stalwart Brian McConville after returning home from a match in January 1978 had further affected the club.

[5] Instead, the club supported the "reorganisation" he demanded, and used funds from the sale of three players (Synan Braddish, Derek Carroll and Brian Duff) to Liverpool, for a combined £55,000, to rebuild the squad and make ground improvements at Oriel.

The League schedule commenced on 10 September 1978 and Dundalk continued their slow start, dropping points in eight of the first 15 matches to lie in fourth position.

But, starting with a win over Shamrock Rovers on Christmas Eve, they only dropped three points from the next 14 matches to surge to the title with a game to spare.

It was confirmed in slightly surreal fashion – with a win away to Cork Celtic (who were about to be expelled from the League) in front of 200 people;[7] while the trophy was presented in Oriel Park 48 hours later after a final-day defeat to FAI Cup final opponents Waterford.