League Preview: Dundalk -v- Wexford Youths

Champions Dundalk FC go into Sunday evening’s match with Wexford Youths looking to extend their eight match unbeaten run in league affairs, while also maintaining their four-point cushion over Cork City at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table.

 

Stephen Kenny’s men were in imperious form during their last league match prior to last weekend’s round of FAI Cup fixtures, where they progressed to the next round by beating Shelbourne 2-0 at Oriel Park.

 

On their last league outing, Dundalk thrashed Finn Harps 7-0 at Finn Park with the quality of their play and goals scaling new heights for a side that have produced numerous flawless performances under the guidance of Stephen Kenny.

 

The audacity of Daryl Horgan’s goal, the play of Robbie Benson and the quality of the Lilywhites' movement in general were a sight to behold and places them firmly as favourites to retain their league crown for a club record third year in succession.

 

Wexford, though, could pose a stiff test for Kenny’s men having defeated Shamrock Rovers in their last league game. Indeed, earlier in the season Dundalk found it tough going against the newly promoted Youths and it took a late Ciaran Kilduff winner to break the resolve of Shane Keegan’s men who would have been well worthy of a point from that match.

 

Speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of tomorrow evening’s game, Dundalk FC manager Stephen Kenny insisted that his side will have to raise their game if they are to continue their fine form.

 

Kenny said: “We have Ciaran Kilduff, Patrick McEleney and Stephen O’Donnell back in the squad this week which is probably our strongest squad of the season so far. We have had an exceptional week training and there has been a real edge to it. We are playing well and on a good run so we’ll have to up the level again to win on Sunday.”

 

 

Wexford head north up the M1 and into Dundalk’s cauldron on Sunday residing in ninth place in the table following a very strange start to life in the top tier.

 

Shane Keegan’s men looked like a genuine Premier Division side when gaining a point against Cork City at Turner’s Cross and when embarrassing Shamrock Rovers at Ferrycarrig Park two weeks ago, but consistency has been lacking and heavy reversals against St. Patrick’s Athletic and Sligo Rovers have prevented Youths making the burst out of trouble that they have threatened to embark upon.

 

The partnership of Danny Furlong, the 30-goal top-scorer from last year’s successful First Division campaign, and Paul Murphy will be crucial should Wexford harbour any hopes of pushing clear of the relegation area, but they won’t be able to rely on the services of Furlong at Oriel Park as he recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in the victory over Longford Town recently.

 

Manager Shane Keegan told wexfordyouthsfc.ie, that he is well aware of the task awaiting his side at the border venue on Sunday evening.

 

"They're form is frightening to be honest. They've won their last seven league games and managed to keep clean sheets in six of those! But we gave them a right good crack down in our own place and had them worried for a while so we'll take confidence from that."

 

Although, Youths come into the game in relatively good form having embarked on a four-game winning streak across all competitions, Keegan is adamant that complacency won’t embed itself in the south-east.

 

"The two league wins over Longford and Rovers were great but we know we're still very much in the middle of a relegation battle. We weren't happy with our two cup performances and need to raise our level substantially or we'll be in trouble up in Oriel. Realistically this isn't a game you target for points but if we can catch them on one of their rare off days, then anything can happen."

 

Furlong will be joined by Aidan Keenan, Lee Grace and Peter Higgins on the sidelines for Youths on Sunday as the trio also try to recover from injury setbacks.

 

 

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

 

This is the first ever Premier Division meeting at Oriel Park between the sides and their first league meeting at Carrick Road in almost 10 years with Dundalk winning 1-0 in the First Division back in 2008, the last time they met at the venue.

 

There has never been a goalless draw between the sides at Oriel Park.

 

Unusually in League of Ireland terms, neither side boast any players who will be coming up against their former club tomorrow night.

 

 

Dundalk FC 1/6; Draw 11/2; Wexford Youths 16/1.

 

Dundalk FC 3-0 Wexford Youths.

 

 

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Injured: Danny Furlong, Aidan Keenan, Lee Grace, Peter Higgins.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.