League Preview: Dundalk -v- Drogheda United

Drogheda could sit just four points off the relegation spot while Dundalk are potentially just four games away from winning the league. The fortunes of both Louth clubs are very different but everyone knows league form matters little when it is a derby and matter of local pride. Kick off is at 7.25pm in Oriel Park.

 DUNDALK FC 

Champions Dundalk welcome their nearest, but not so dearest, neighbours Drogheda United to Oriel Park for their fourth home match in a row for September.

With the return of Stephen O’Donnell from a one match ban, Stephen Kenny has a full squad to pick from. His selection might be made all the more difficult by the performances of goal-scorers Ciarán Kilduff and Sean Maguire last week, not to mention a man-of-the-match performance from Chris Shields who started in O’Donnell’s absence.

Last time out, Dundalk took on Sligo Rovers in the quarter-final of the FAI Irish Daily Mail Cup and progressed thanks to goals from Daryl Horgan, Ronan Finn, Seán Maguire and Ciarán Kilduff while Gary Rogers kept a clean sheet. It was an emphatic response to their league fixture the week before, against the same opposition, where they twice ceded the lead to draw 2-2.

Sean Maguire made an instant impact for The Town in their 4-0 demolition of Sligo Rovers in Oriel last week, scoring with practically his first touch of the ball as the game ticked down. Speaking to his club’s media, he told how he reveled on getting on the scoresheet and appeared keen to take in the Louth derby experience:

“I was delighted to score, it was great to finally get the goal. It was a long time coming for me I think but it was great to finally get it, especially in front of the home crowd.

“I have never been involved in a Louth Derby but I believe that it is massive.  The crowd will be good, it’ll be a good atmosphere and live on television is something which adds to it. I am really looking forward to it. It’ll be a great experience. Local derbies are always huge. We have six games to go and it makes it bigger and hopefully we will get the three points and it’ll kick us on.”

The last meeting between these two sides saw the Drogs almost stifle the Champions to nick a point at home but a 89th minute winner, courtesy of Darren Meenan, stole it for the Lilywhites. While Dundalk’s league form in the last few matches hasn’t been perfect– with two draws in four games- it is punctuated with impressive wins over their flailing titel rivals from Dublin Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic

DROGHEDA UNITED

Absent from cup action last week, it has been nearly two weeks since the Drogs have last played. Their last outing was a much needed win against Derry City to steer them towards safety and provide their beleaguered supporters with a first win in ten games.

It was caretaker manager Mark Kinsella’s first game in charge and Drogheda fans will be hoping the ‘new manager factor’ will be enough to help them compete against their rampant neighbours this evening.

The Boynesiders have become engulfed with a relegation battle that seemed unlikely at the mid-season point, but their poor recent form has them hovering just four points over a very in-form bottom placed Limerick.

Speaking ahead of the short trip northward, Kinsella told Droghedaunited.ie that he hoped his players would approach the game without fear. If the clock ticking down to secure safety wasn’t already motivation enough, he hoped that the televised derby fixture would be an added incentive to do well.

“We won’t show any fear going to Dundalk. They are, by some distance, the best team in the league but we have given them a real game twice this season. Anything can happen in a derby game and hopefully with the game being on TV, it will act as extra motivation for the team.

“We know that it is going to be a huge ask but with only six games left to play we need to be picking up results every time we go out on the pitch.”

Points are precious for the Boynesiders at the moment and they won’t mind where they come from, but there will certainly be an added sweetness to any points gained in Oriel Park, particularly if it can be a dint in a consecutive successful title charge. Drogheda are without any injury concerns heading into this game.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

There has only been one goalless draw between these two sides in ten years.

A win for the champions will ensure that they qualify for European competition for the third year in succession.

Dundalk have four former Drogheda United players in their squad – Gary Rogers, Shane Grimes, Darren Meenan and Gabriel Sava have all spent time at United Park.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/5; Draw 11/2; Drogheda 16/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2- 0 Drogheda

Dundalk FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.