League Preview: Wexford Youths - v - Dundalk FC

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths go into their second home game of the season on Monday night against champions Dundalk FC looking for their first win and goal in their maiden Premier Division campaign.

Youths lost 2-0 to Shamrock Rovers last Friday night in a game where they created plenty of chances. Second half goals from Danny North and Gary McCabe saw the newly promoted men head back down the M11 pointless.

Wexford Youths manager Shane Keegan has been very happy with the performances of his team to date though.

“Those who weren’t at the games will see two consecutive 2-0 defeats and surmise that we are in for a season of being rooted to the bottom of the table. But those who were at the games know the real story is very different.

“As for Friday night, I actually think that it was the best performance the team has ever given me.”

Danny Furlong will be key to their survival efforts. His 30 goal haul last season fired them to runaway success in the First Division and he has looked sharp in the two league games to date without registering on the scoresheet.

If Keegan’s men are to trouble the Lilywhites on Monday, they will look to Furlong for the inspiration and goals that they will undoubtedly need in order to get anything out of a match they’re expected to struggle in.

Anything apart from an away win will be a surprise, but Youths will need to start picking up points soon because as Limerick showed last year, you can leave it too late to start picking up three pointers.

DUNDALK FC

Champions Dundalk looked as composed and lethal as ever during their two opening league games. They have scored three goals in both their matches and have created a catalogue of chances against both Bray Wanderers and Finn Harps.

Goals from Paddy Barrett, Patrick McEleney and a Ryan Curran own goal saw Dundalk defeat the other promoted side Finn Harps comprehensively on Friday night in Oriel Park.

The partnership in midfield of Ronan Finn and Patrick McEleney seems to be building very strongly. Add in the wide threats of Darren Meenan and the ever impressive Daryl Horgan and the Lilywhites should cause problems for every team in the league.

Youths should be very wary of this attacking midfield foursome in their match at Ferrycarrig Park.

Brian Gartland and Stephen O’Donnell were rested for Friday’s match and both may feature on Monday night. In their absence though, Paddy Barrett and Chris Shields performed admirably against Harps.

Barrett could have actually grabbed himself a first half hat trick, but in the end he had to settle for a solitary headed goal, which was also the games’ opening goal.

Speaking ahead of the pair’s first ever meeting in the top flight, Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny said: “We have everyone fit after Friday and we won’t be taking Wexford Youths lightly. They are a good side and we are looking forward to the trip. We’ll be prepared and we’ll be ready.”

A sizeable crowd of Dundalk supporters travelled to Bray in their last away outing, and a similar support is expected to travel to Wexford to see if the Champions can extend their 100% league record before Cork City visit Oriel Park next Friday night.

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

The last meeting of the sides came nearly a year ago when Dundalk again travelled to Ferrycarrig Park in the Leinster Senior Cup. An inexperienced Lilywhites line-up comfortably won 3-0 en route to winning the competition.

The last league fixture between the sides came in the First Division in October 2008. Danny Furlong was among the Youths goal scorers as they claimed a 3-1 victory over the Division’s eventual winners at the Wexford venue.

The sides have played each other a total of eleven times in all competitions. Dundalk have won nine of those game with Wexford having won only once against the Lilywhites since they joined the league back in 2007.

BETTING

Wexford Youths 15/2; Draw 10/3; Dundalk FC 4/11

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 0-3 Dundalk FC

Wexford Youths

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk FC

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None