Leinster Senior Cup Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Dundalk

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Patrick’s Athletic attempt to reach the Leinster Senior Cup final for the first time in four years as they welcome Dundalk to Richmond Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Saints’ last appearance in the final saw Liam Buckley’s side claim the first of two cup trophies that season as they went on to lift the FAI Cup in November.

Buckley’s side have had a relatively smooth path to this season’s semi-final with comfortable wins over Bray Wanderers and Wexford in previous rounds.

A 5-0 win at home to Wexford in the quarters was as comfortable an outing as the Athletic have had all season.

Ian Turner opened the scoring early on, while Graham Kelly, Thomas Byrne, Mick Leahy and Jake Keegan added further goals.

They made it three games unbeaten in the league in Friday night as Achille Campion scored his first Saints goal before Leahy added a brace to secure a 3-0 win.

Christy Fagan is Pats’ only absentee as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.

 

DUNDALK



Dundalk’s quest to reclaim their Leinster Senior Cup crown continues with a trip to Inchicore on Monday night.

Should Stephen Kenny’s side find their way past the Athletic, they will face Shelbourne in a repeat of last year’s final, which the Reds won 4-2 after extra time.

The Lilywhites’ path to the semis has seen them defeat two Dublin sides in Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers.

Ronan Murray’s goal midway through the first half was enough to see off the challenge of a Rovers side managed by under-19s Aidan Price in Tallaght last time out.

Dundalk bounced back from a midweek defeat to the Hoops – their first in 14 games – to beat Limerick 1-0 at the Market’s Field on Friday thanks to Michael Duffy’s goal.

“It was a great result for us and we bounced back the way we needed to from Tuesday night,” Duffy



“It was a tough game for us in Limerick but we got the three points and that is the main thing.”

Captain Stephen O’Donnell and midfielder Karolis Chvedukas are the only likely absentees with knee and ankle injuries respectively.

 

Referee: TBC

 

MATCH STATS

The two sides have met four times so far this season – three times in the league and once in the EA Sports Cup – with a further league meeting to come.

Dundalk have taken seven points from nine in the league games, with a 5-0 win at Oriel Park in April the highlight.

A thrilling EA Sports Cup meeting at Richmond Park April finished 4-4 after extra time, with the Lilywhites ultimately prevailing on penalties.

 

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 5/2; Draw 12/5; Dundalk 20/23.

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 – 3 Dundalk

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Christy Fagan (knee).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (knee).

Doubtful: Karolis Chvedukas (ankle).

Suspended: None.