League Preview: St Patrick's Ath -v- Dundalk

• Josh Dolan
• Fri, Apr 04 2014




ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St Pat’s will be looking for their second home win of the season as they take on last year’s runners up Dundalk at Richmond Park on Friday night.

 

Saints’ Boss, Liam Buckley, recalls the immense ties between his side and The Lilywhites last season and Buckley admits that there’s great excitement around The Saints squad ahead of Friday night’s tie.

 

“Last year we played in some great matches with Dundalk, and each time the game could have gone either way. The cameras are back in Richmond Park, and with two top sides playing, there should be a bumper crowd in Inchicore, so the players and management are all really looking forward to the game,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com.

 

After running The Saints close in last season’s title race Buckley is aware of the threat posed by The Lilywhites and insists that new signings have made Stephen Kenny’s side a greater threat this time around. 

 

“Stephen has strengthened his side again this season and the few signings they made are very good.  Last year we played in some great matches with Dundalk, and each time the game could have gone either way,” Buckley insisted.


After several tight affairs with The Louth side last season, Buckley has been focusing on the smaller details that might give his side an advantage ahead of Friday night’s game.  

 

“The games were decided on little things so we’ll be trying to get things right from the first whistle.  The cameras are back in Richmond Park, and with two top sides playing, there should be a bumper crowd in Inchicore, so the players and management are all really looking forward to the game,” The Saint’s Boss explained explained.

 

The Saints have earned just six points out of a possible three, a tally that The Saint’s squad are eager to improve and Saint’s skipper Ger O’Brien insists that results will only improve with hard work on the training ground.

 

 “We’ve dropped a few points lately, had a few decisions against us which has been disappointing, but there’s no point going over it.  We’ve got to move on, and we have done so by just working hard in training,” O’Brien explained to stpatsfc.com.

 

Goalkeeper, Rene Gilmartin and Centre half Ken Oman are doubts for the game with respective hamstring and groin injuries, but Saint’s Boss, Liam Buckley has no further injury worries.

 

DUNDALK

Dundalk go into the tie on the back of 1-1 draw with Bohemians at Oriel Park last Friday night, a draw that put an end to The Lilywhites for game winning streak. Lilywhites Boss, Stephen Kenny acknowledges that his side squad are in fine form and his squad are very much buoyant ahead of Friday’s tie with The Saints. “All the players are in good form. We’re on a good run,” Kenny told dundalkfc.com.

 

Kenny admits that St Pats are an outfit with an abundance of quality, but the Tallaght native insists that The Lilywhites have every chance after having a full week to prepare for the trip to Inchicore.

 

“We are playing well but going to Inchicore is never easy. St. Patrick’s Athletic are the champions and they’re a fantastic side but we’re confident and we with not playing 3 games this week, we had a good week to rest and prepare,” The Lilywhites Boss explained.

 

Lilywhite’s Captain, Stephen O’Donnell emphasises his manager’s opinion and admits that Richmond Park will be a tough place for any side to go to this season, but he insists that himself and the rest of the players are truly looking forward to Friday night’s battle.

 

“St Patrick’s Athletic are a fantastic side and Richmond Park is going to be a tough place to go this year for anyone but the mood is good in the squad and we’re playing well so we’re looking forward to the game,” O’Donnell told dundalkfc.com.

 

Mark Rossiter is Stephen Kenny’s only injury worry for the visit to Inchicore, as Simon Kelly has returned from a three match ban. Keith Ward is also available following a lengthy spell out with a knee injury, however the midfielder is unlikely to feature due to a lack of match practice.

 

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

 

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten meetings with The Saints.

 

Dundalk have not been involved in a scoreless draw since the opening day of the 2013 season.

 

The game sees Lilywhites duo Darren Meenan and Mark Rossiter return to their former club.

 

 

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 11/10; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 5/2.

 

PREDICTION

A 1-1 Draw. The RTE hoodoo to continue and keep the score-line  down.

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Rene Gilmartin (Hamstring), Ken Oman (Groin).
Suspended: None.

 

Dundalk

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Mark Rossiter (Hamstring).
Suspended None.