League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Dundalk

ST PATRICK's ATHLETIC

St Patrick's athletic enter their showdown with Dundalk on the back of two impressive Dublin derby wins over rivals Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers. The Saints have bounced back from their disappointing 3-1 opening day defeat at home to Galway United to remain tied at the top of the table with only goal difference keeping them from reaching the summit.

St Pats remain the only side to beat Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght since Pat Fenlon took the reigns there. While Liam Buckley has been pleased with his side's progress, he told StPatsFC.com that there are still areas he'd like to see improve.

"I was delighted with our win in Tallaght last Friday. Our ball retention and general play wasn't where we'd want it to be yet, but I thought the players worked tirelessly in defence and off the ball and got their reward when the chances came our way," Buckley remarked.

Also speaking to the Saint Pats club website ahead of tomorrow's clash, was newly arrived Saint, Billy Dennehy. The former Cork City and Shamrock Rovers player spoke positively about the atmosphere around Inchicore since his arrival. He's also a player who has collected two runners up medals in the past two seasons playing for Cork as they played second fiddle to the Lilywhites so there's no surprise he is wary of the threat they pose.

"Ever since day one of pre-season training, it's been great to be at Pat's. I feel like I've settled quickly into things here and with a turnover of players on what was here last year, it appears to be a fresh squad that Liam has put together. It's been going really so far and the club, staff and supporters have been great so hopefully we can keep working hard together and get results on the pitch.

"We've a lot of tough games to come so we know we just have to focus on each game. That's the case for the Dundalk game on Thursday. They've had a decent start to the season, and for me are still the team to beat in the league." 

In team news, Buckley has been boosted with the return to training of Jamie McGrath, goalkeeper Conor O'Malley made his return to the squad last week, while Michael Barker is also in the running to feature after an injury lay-off. 

Buckley remains without the services of midfielder Jack Bayly, while defender Sean Hoare misses out due to his involvement with the Republic of Ireland U21 squad in their UEFA U21 Qualifying Round Group 2 fixture against Italy in the RSC, Waterford on Thursday. 

DUNDALK FC

Dundalk's start to the season is in contrast to Pat's, the Lilywhites had a blistering start to the campaign with three wins from three before they were brought back down to earth by defeat last week. Nonetheless, they find themselves tied with The Saints, and three other sides, at the top with nine points.

Former Dundalk player, Sean Maguire converted a penalty to prevent the champions establishing an early lead on the rebels. Speaking to DundalkFC.com, striker Ciarán Kilduff spoke of his disappointment in tasting defeat (in a competitive match) for the first time in a Lilywhite jersey but was confident his side could absorb the setback at this early juncture.

“Friday was actually the first defeat that I was involved with the club and it wasn’t nice. We didn’t lose ground which is the positive. It’s early in the season. We are only four games in and no one is going to run away with the league. It’s so competitive and you can see that with all the teams level on points at the top.

In the past two seasons, Dundalk have been very apt at bouncing back from disappointing results with positive ones. An away trip to Inchicore is a tricky assignment to do so. Reflecting on Friday's game, Stephen Kenny was happy with the shift his team put in and hoped, with a similar application, that they would have better fortune against the in-form Pats.

“I thought we played very well last week. Our application was good and it’s important that we carry that into this week against St. Patrick’s Athletic. Pat’s have beaten Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers already this season and we have to respect that.

“From our point of view, we want to bounce back from the defeat last week. We are looking forward to the game and we’ll be ready for it”.

Dundalk will be without the services of the dynamic Patrick McEleney who pulled up injured against, other than that Stephen Kenny has a full panel to chose from.

Referee: David McKeon.

MATCH STATS

St Patrick's Athletic and Dundalk are two of five teams currently tied at the top of the league on nine points.

Dundalk played St Pats five times in 2015 and were victorious on all five occasions: Three league wins, one Leinster Senior Cup win and victory in the President's Cup Final gave The Lilywhites an unblotted scorecard versus the Saints.

Saints' striker, Christy Fagan, has four goals from four appearances and is the league's joint top scorer thus far.

BETTING

St Patrick's Athletic 9/4 ; Draw 2/1 ; Dundalk 13/10.

PREDICTION

St Patrick's Athletic 1 - 1 Dundalk FC

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Jack Bayly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk FC

Injured: Patrick McEleney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.