League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United boss Robbie Horgan is sweating over the fitness of Paul Crowley, Cathal Brady and Philly Hughes ahead of tonight’s clash with local rivals Dundalk at United Park. The trio will undergo fitness tests ahead of the game.

The good news for the Boynesiders is that Shane Grimes has recovered from a broken hand and will be available for selection against his home town club.

Horgan has targeted an improvement on last year as the key metric for success this time round and is encouraged by his side’s pre-season performances to date. “We have had a good pre-season; we will be going into every game this season believing that we can win. The reality is if we finish better than our 8^th position of last season on a lesser budget and a smaller squad, I’d consider that a success”.

DUNDALK

Dundalk will look for a continuation of last season’s fine form in tonight’s Louth derby at United Park. Last season’s controversial FAI Cup semi final against the same opposition should provide Stephen Kenny’s men with an extra incentive to leave Drogheda with a win under their belts.

Kenny will be without the services of Keith Ward, who is still recovering from a long-term knee injury, while influential pair Brian Gartland and Richie Towell are both carrying ankle injuries and are rated as doubtful.  

The Lillywhites boss is confident ahead of tonight’s game: “It’s a great game to start with. A Louth derby is always something special. We have prepared well and have had a really good pre-season. We’re ready for the game and looking forward to it. We will be going to United Park to attack and hopefully with the right intensity we can get the right result”.

Commenting on last season’s FAI Cup semi-final, Richie Towell told Dundalkfc.com “We need to be really calm and collective on Friday on the pitch. We can’t let our emotions get the better of us like we did last October. We have to taper it down on the emotional side but that won’t stop us from going to get the right result. We’ll go out and do our best to win. You always want to win the derby.”

Referee: Derek Tomney.

MATCH STATS

Familiar faces: Both sides have former players in their ranks – Dundalk have three with goalkeeper Gabriel Sava, Manual Kaguako and Darren Meenan in their squad while Drogheda United have seven with Shane Grimes, Michael Daly, Ciaran McGuigan, Paul Crowley, Declan O’Brien, John McKeown and Dundalk’s 2006 top scorer Philly Hughes in their squad.
 

Head to head: Dundalk come out on top in the 153 meetings between the sides to date, emerging victorious 80 times. Drogheda have won 35 times, while it ended a draw on 38 occasions. 
 

Odd goal: On the previous three meetings between these sides, the game was won on a 1-0 scoreline.

BETTING

Drogheda 15/4; Draw 12/5; Dundalk 3/4.

PREDICTION

It’s going to be a battle but Dundalk’s quality should shine through in the end: 2-0 Dundalk.

Drogheda United Injury News: Paul Crowley, Cathal Brady, Philly Hughes (all doubtful).

Drogheda United Suspension News: None.

Dundalk Injury News: Keith Ward (knee), Richie Towell, Brian Gartland (both doubtful).

Dundalk Suspension News: None.