St Patrick's Athletic FC -v- Dundalk FC
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St Patrick's Athletic welcome Dundalk to Richmond Park for a Premier Division fixture for the first time since December 2001 on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) but that is of little concern to Jeff Kenna, who insists it is "up to us" to finally perform at the Inchicore venue.
Bouncing back
The Saints have bounced back from their opening day humiliation at the hands of Galway United with two wins on the road, at Cork City and Sligo Rovers, but that will mean little if they again fail to make home advantage count. “We’ve had two back-to-back wins on the road and it’s up to us now to put on a performance for the home fans after the disappointment of the Galway game,” Kenna said.
Apprehensive approach
The clash comes at a time when both clubs are beginning to find their form and Kenna and Sean Connor will see this game as a good indicator of how realistic their respective title aspirations are. The home support will be more than a little apprehensive ahead of this game given the 3-0 thrashing delivered by Galway on the Saints' solitary home appearance this season. The Lilywhites' travelling faithful themselves won’t exactly be overly confident either as they came away empty handed from their sole away fixture of the campaign, coincidently enough also against Ian Foster’s side.
Magic combination
Without hitting the heights expected of them by many in their opening three games, a combination of new players beginning to gel better, key players returning from injury and suspension and more resolute defending has seen St Pat's score successive 1-0 away wins. While the attacking potency hasn’t yet been of its usual high standard, back-to-back clean-sheets have been the foundation for their improved results. And with Ryan Guy almost fit enough to start and Mark Quigley making a welcome appearance from the substitutes' bench in last week’s victory at Sligo, the Dublin outfit have cause for optimism.
Derby win
For Dundalk’s part, their season began in disappointing fashion as they were narrowly defeated by Bohemians and, a week later, Galway. However, the Oriel Park club got things back on track with a resounding 3-0 win against near neighbours Drogheda United last time out and will look to build on that. Belfast-born Connor will begin a four-game touchline ban following this match but remains completely focused and quietly confident ahead of the short trip south. “It’s going to be a very tough match," he said.
'Huge challenge'
"We have everybody fit and Simon Kelly will be pushing for a place back in the side after his suspension. We have worked hard all week but everybody had a spring in their step in training after the win last Friday. (St Pat's) is a huge challenge. It is no surprise to me that they have bounced back from their defeat by Galway on the opening day. They were not at full strength that day but Jeff has now got two outstanding away victories. I am sure they want to put on a show in front of their home fans.”
Summit-chasing Saints
Despite the fact that the league table holds very little precedence at such an early stage in the season, St Pat’s could conceivably be top at the close of play on Friday night and that is something their fans and manager would be only too pleased to see. A win and three points remains the main concern for both teams, however, as they look to continue their recent good form and push on in their quest for European football and more.
extratime.ie prediction: St Pat's have impressed in their last two games, and although their away form was also much stronger last season, they should have enough to see off Dundalk here, although only narrowly. 1-0.
Bouncing back
The Saints have bounced back from their opening day humiliation at the hands of Galway United with two wins on the road, at Cork City and Sligo Rovers, but that will mean little if they again fail to make home advantage count. “We’ve had two back-to-back wins on the road and it’s up to us now to put on a performance for the home fans after the disappointment of the Galway game,” Kenna said.
Apprehensive approach
The clash comes at a time when both clubs are beginning to find their form and Kenna and Sean Connor will see this game as a good indicator of how realistic their respective title aspirations are. The home support will be more than a little apprehensive ahead of this game given the 3-0 thrashing delivered by Galway on the Saints' solitary home appearance this season. The Lilywhites' travelling faithful themselves won’t exactly be overly confident either as they came away empty handed from their sole away fixture of the campaign, coincidently enough also against Ian Foster’s side.
Magic combination
Without hitting the heights expected of them by many in their opening three games, a combination of new players beginning to gel better, key players returning from injury and suspension and more resolute defending has seen St Pat's score successive 1-0 away wins. While the attacking potency hasn’t yet been of its usual high standard, back-to-back clean-sheets have been the foundation for their improved results. And with Ryan Guy almost fit enough to start and Mark Quigley making a welcome appearance from the substitutes' bench in last week’s victory at Sligo, the Dublin outfit have cause for optimism.
Derby win
For Dundalk’s part, their season began in disappointing fashion as they were narrowly defeated by Bohemians and, a week later, Galway. However, the Oriel Park club got things back on track with a resounding 3-0 win against near neighbours Drogheda United last time out and will look to build on that. Belfast-born Connor will begin a four-game touchline ban following this match but remains completely focused and quietly confident ahead of the short trip south. “It’s going to be a very tough match," he said.
'Huge challenge'
"We have everybody fit and Simon Kelly will be pushing for a place back in the side after his suspension. We have worked hard all week but everybody had a spring in their step in training after the win last Friday. (St Pat's) is a huge challenge. It is no surprise to me that they have bounced back from their defeat by Galway on the opening day. They were not at full strength that day but Jeff has now got two outstanding away victories. I am sure they want to put on a show in front of their home fans.”
Summit-chasing Saints
Despite the fact that the league table holds very little precedence at such an early stage in the season, St Pat’s could conceivably be top at the close of play on Friday night and that is something their fans and manager would be only too pleased to see. A win and three points remains the main concern for both teams, however, as they look to continue their recent good form and push on in their quest for European football and more.
extratime.ie prediction: St Pat's have impressed in their last two games, and although their away form was also much stronger last season, they should have enough to see off Dundalk here, although only narrowly. 1-0.
About Eoin Manning
Eoin Manning has been a part of the extratime.ie reporting team since 2009 and covers the Dublin clubs. Eoin also writes for many of the countries national newspapers and can be contacted at eoinpmanning@gmail.com View Full Profile