EA Sports Cup Preview: Dundalk - v - St. Patrick's Athletic

DUNDALK FC

Dundalk will entertain St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday night at Oriel Park undoubtedly looking to continue their impeccable recent record against the men from Inchicore. The Lilywhites have won all six meetings between the sides since September 2014.

Dundalk come into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-0 league victory of Sligo Rovers last Friday evening where according to their manager Stephen Kenny they “were frustrated that we weren’t at out best” (see extatime.ie interview in full with Kenny here).

Although top of the league table, Kenny’s men haven’t been able to replicate the consistency this season that they have portrayed in recent campaigns.

Having been beatan by Cork City in the President’s Cup, they were also knocked out of the Leinster Senior Cup by Bohemians. So the manager will be keen to see his side progress in the EA Sports Cup.

The ending of their reign as Leinster Senior Cup holders exiting to Bohemians by four goals to three was a setback seeing as they took the lead in the game through Michael O’Connor.

Their team two weeks ago in Dalymount Park was full of youth with George Poynton and Anton Reilly in midfield and the O’Connor brothers, Ciaran and Michael, leading the line.

Kenny will probably give his budding apprentices another chance in Monday’s match as he holds back his tried and trusted cavalry ahead of Friday night’s crucial league visit to Shamrock Rovers. However  he’ll be fully expecting them to do the business and gain another win over the team who took the league title over them three years ago.

The Dundalk captain Stephen O’Donnell insisted that, although Kenny is likely to make changes to the line-up for tomorrow night, they are in it to win it.

“It’s a crucial match,” said O’Donnell speaking to dundalkfc.com. “The manager might make a few changes."

"There is massive competition for places so it’s a good chance for those coming in to impress and create competition for places for next week’s game against Shamrock Rovers. We want to win every competition that we are in so we will be looking to progress.”

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Current EA Sports Cup holders St. Patrick’s Athletic will head north up the M1 Monday night in obdurate form as they look to defend the trophy that they won in last year’s final against Galway United.

The tie will signify the opening of that defence having received a bye in the last round of competition and they’ll be buoyed by their comprehensive 4-0 win over Wexford Youths at Richmond Park last Friday night. That victory was their third in a row in all competitions since Dundalk annihilated them 4-0 four weeks ago.

St. Pat’s manager Liam Buckley was obviously delighted with the manner of his sides victory on Friday night and is looking forward to their first trip to Oriel Park this term.

"I was obviously very happy with the result on Friday against Wexford,” said Buckley speaking to stpatsfc.com. “It sets us up nicely for Monday night against Dundalk, with the lads now looking to defend the trophy we won last year.

“It gave us a good boost last year so we'll be taking Monday's game seriously and look to defend our title." 

Pat’s defender Lee Desmond has found it difficult to force his way into Buckley’s starting XI this year and tomorrow night should represent a chance for himself and a number of other players on the periphery of Buckley’s thoughts to make a claim for a more playing time.

"It's a big game for us as we're defending champions,” said Desmond to his club’s website. “We're up against a great side in Dundalk so Liam has us ready for a tough game. As players you want to win things and this competition gives us a chance to do that.

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

This will be the 203^rd meeting between the sides and Dundalk have a slight upper hand. The record reads – P202; W84, D46, L72.

This will be the first meeting between the sides in the League Cup since May 2005 at Richmond Park with the Saints winning 4-2. The last meeting at Oriel Park was in September 1987 with St. Pat’s also winning that 2-1.

Dundalk’s last League Cup crown came in 2014 when they defeated Shamrock Rovers 3-2 in the final with Dane Massey opening the scoring for the Lilywhites. St. Pat’s won the competition last season by defeating Galway United on penalties, with the final being held at Eamon Deacy Park

BETTING

Dundalk 5/6; Draw 5/2;St. Patrick’s Athletic 3/1.

Dundalk FC

Injuried: Ciaran O’Connor

Doubtful: Patrick McEleney, Robbie Benson

Suspensions: None

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injuried: Conor O’Malley, Ger O’Brien

Doubtful: Christy Fagan, Darren Dennehy

Suspensions: None