League Preview: Dundalk FC -v- Cork City

DUNDALK FC

Champions Dundalk enter their second home league game of the season in buoyant fashion and will look to keep their 100% league record in tact when fellow title contenders Cork City travel to Oriel Park on Friday.

The Lilywhites recorded their third straight victory with substitute Ciáran Kilduff’s late winner in Ferrycarrig Park last Monday, and Friday night’s game will test their credentials for a third title in a row to the maximum.

Brian Gartland returned to the starting XI for their last league outing and he is expected to partner FAI Airtricity League Player of the Year nominee Andy Boyle at the centre of defence for Dundalk.

Captain Stephen O’Donnell should also return for Stephen Kenny’s men following his absence from the team through illness, as the border men look to gain revenge for their comprehensive 2-0 defeat to City in the President’s Cup final three weeks ago.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s match, Dundalk’s Patrick McEleney said: “We had a good win on Monday in Wexford. It was a difficult game in tough conditions but we got through it.

"Getting the late goal was fantastic and I think we all enjoyed the late winner. It wasn’t our best performance but sometimes you have to win like that and we are pleased with any win that we can get.

“Cork are a good side and we were disappointed with the President’s Cup loss there a few weeks ago but we aren’t thinking of that. We have had a good start to the season with the three wins and we want to keep that going against Cork on Friday.

"We know an early win like that can help us but it’s going to be a difficult game and hopefully we can get the three points.”

CORK CITY

The Rebels got their season firmly back on track in Turner’s Cross on Monday evening as they ruthlessly despatched Longford Town by six goals to nil. Steven Beattie celebrated his starting place by netting three times as City romped home against the midlanders who had a miserable night.

City striker Séan Maguire will look to add to his great start to the season which has seen him score three in three, never mind his major contribution to his sides President’s Cup triumph over the Lilywhites.

New signing Greg Bolger will return to the Leesiders midfield having served a one-match suspension following his reckless dismissal in Derry a week ago.

The Rebels’ will be without the injured duo of John Kavanagh and Garry Buckley, while late fitness tests will be carried out on midfielders Gavan Holohan and Stephen Dooley.

Prior to the game, Cork City manager John Caulfield said: “It’s a big league match again. We’ve had a tough start to the season and we are on the road again after being in Derry last Friday night.

"The positive is that we beat them in the President’s Cup final; obviously their manager said that they didn’t play well that day and that they will be waiting for us in the league, so we know what to expect and we have to perform well.

“They are the team to beat. They have nine points out of nine, we have six out of nine. It is a tall ask and a big challenge but, at the same time, we have potential in our team, we have goals in our team; it will take a massive effort, but that is what we need to do.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have won six out of the last 10 league meetings between the sides and have never lost to John Caulfield’s men since Stephen Kenny took the reins at the club. The most memorable of those victories came in the 2014 league decider in Oriel Park where goals from Stephen O’Donnell and Brian Gartland saw the Lilywhites to their first league title in 19 years.

The last time that the Rebels defeated Dundalk in the league was in 2012 when both sides looked dramatically different. Tommy Dunne’s City side won 3-0 that day as Dundalk narrowly avoided the dreaded drop at the end of the year.

The sides have played a total of 61 league games against each other. Friday’s hosts have a better record having won 26 of their previous league meetings. Cork have registered 18 victories over Dundalk with the teams playing out 17 draws. In the 30 league games played in Oriel Park, Cork have won only seven of them.

MATCH BETTING

Dundalk FC 10/11; Draw 23/10; Cork City 11/4

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 1-1 Cork City

Dundalk FC

Injuries: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Cork City

Injuries: John Kavanagh & Garry Buckley

Doubtful: Gavan Holohan & Stephen Dooley

Suspended: None