League Preview: Dundalk -v- Derry City

DUNDALK

Having seen their firm grip on the league title loosen on Tuesday night, champions Dundalk will be very keen to return to winning ways when they host Kenny Shiels’ Derry City at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites were involved in a frustrating 1-1 deadlock with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night, despite having enjoyed the lion’s share of offensive possession. Having conceded a woeful goal, the border outfit dominated the remainder of proceedings and had credible penalty claims turned down following Brian Gartland’s second-half leveller.

In the end it could be argued that Rovers, inspired by Dave Webster, merited a share of the spoils, and subsequently Dundalk’s lead at the summit of the table has been extended to five points, with second place Cork City having a game in hand.

Stephen Kenny will surely have his players well keyed up for the visit of his former side, however, and Derry City are among the few teams to leave the Carrick Road with a result this season. The Candystripes secured a draw in Co. Louth in March with Barry McNamee’s second-period strike cancelling out David McMillan’s opener.

Albeit, the Lilywhites thrashed Derry 5-0 in the return fixture on Foyleside in July, with McMillan leaving the Brandywell with the match ball having hit the net three times.

Tomorrow night’s meeting will see Dundalk’s relentless fixture schedule continue.

The Lilywhites have played on average a game every three days since the beginning of September and with the games set to continue to present themselves at such a pace, Kenny may opt to make some changes in personnel.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com in the aftermath of Tuesday’s draw with Shamrock Rovers, Kenny revealed that he was fairly happy with the point gained against the Hoops, while insisting that they were looking forward to renewing their acquaintances with Derry.

He said: “I thought we put in a good performance on Tuesday night against Shamrock Rovers. I felt we played well and created a lot of chances but the winner just wouldn’t go in for us on the night.

“The players are in good form. We are ready for tomorrow night against a very strong Derry City team who have had a good season to date. We are ready to go and we are very focused on the game. We have prepared well and we are looking forward to it.”

DERRY CITY

Kenny Shiels is still in line to achieve European Qualification in his first season at the helm of Derry City following a strong summer showing which sees the Candystripes reside in third place. At one stage, a league challenge appeared to be on the cards having overtaken Cork City and into second position.

However, Derry, having had no continental distractions, had played numerous games more than those currently ahead of them, hence their drop out of the race for the Premier Division crown.

All-in-all though, should Derry secure European football for 2017, it would be a job very well done by Shiels and his players, with a relegation battle having been forecasted by many media outlets prior to the start of the campaign.

The return of the prolific Rory Patterson has inspired the Foylesiders in attack while the additions of Niclas Vemmelund and Lukas Schubert from abroad has enhanced the complexion of Derry even further. Danish defender Vemmelund has proven to be a particularly shrewd acquisition by former Kilmarnock manager, Shiels.

Heading to Oriel on Friday night will be seen as a daunting prospect for the Candystripes, although the result of the match could prove highly significant come the end of the league calender, with Derry due to face Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night on Foyleside.

If Derry can secure a similar result to the one that they achieved on their last visit to Dundalk, then they can approach the match versus the Hoops in pole position, however, should results go against the Derrymen tomorrow, the task of having to beat Rovers and qualify for Europe could well be a bridge too far for them.

Despite Dundalk’s well-documented fixture congestion, Derry’s manager Kenny Shiels has shown no sympathy for the Lilywhites. Speaking to BBC Radio Foyleside following the semi-final draw for the FAI Cup, which seen Dundalk and Derry paired, Shiels had this to say:

“They will be crying about being tired travelling. But would you rather sit on a plane for an hour and a half to go to Amsterdam or sit on a bus [to Wexford] for six hours.

“They have two squads basically (and) we have played more games in the league. I don't think their tiredness will kick in until they start going places like St Petersburg two to three days before the cup final.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

There hasn’t been a scoreless draw between the sides at Oriel Park in nearly 24 years. That draw came in September 1992 and is the only such result between the sides since Derry came into the League of Ireland.

Dundalk have one former Derry City player in their squad – new signing Patrick McEleney – while manager Stephen Kenny had a hugely successful time with the club over two spells with two runners up finishes in the league, winning the FAI Cup and 4 EA Sports Cups.

Derry’s Conor McCormack is a Dundalk native, Keith Ward played under Stephen Kenny at Oriel Park, while Kenny’s son Dean Shiels’ will face his father having signed for Dundalk recently.

BETTING

Dundalk FC 4/11; Draw 7/2; Derry City 7/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 2-1 Derry City

Dundalk

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor & Darren Meenan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Derry City:

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.