League Preview: Drogheda Utd -v- Dundalk

Drogheda United

Drogheda United are looking for their second win of the season as they host neighbours Dundalk at Head in the Game Park on Friday evening (19:45 kick-off).

A 4-2 home win over UCD in their third fixture is the Boynesiders sole three pointer this season and, in fact, the only other game they have actually scored in was their 3-1 defeat to Shamrock Rovers the previous week.

Consecutive defeats to Sligo Rovers and Derry City have meant that Kevin Doherty’s men have three points after five games and sit a point ahead of UCD and Finn Harps, both of whom remain winless so far this season.

Mercurial attacker Darragh Markey picked up a metatarsal injury in the Derry City defeat while his replacement, Mark Hughes, also had to be substituted due to injury. 

Speaking with his club’s media on the injuries, Doherty commented, "Darragh is a bad one. He fractured his metatarsal. He's going to have to get operated on, and will be out for a good while, the timeline could be anything from 8-12 weeks with the operation.

“Mark Hughes, you'd be wary because of his previous knee injuries but this one was a tackle on his knee. There's a fair bit of swelling on it, he's getting treatment on it and he'll get the scan after that. We haven't seen Ryan Brennan. He played the second pre-season game against Athlone and his groin was at him. He's been getting treatment, he got an injection and it didn't respond well at first but he's working really hard now.

“Luke Heeney was so unlucky, he was in a car crash and has a fair few knocks and bumps and bruises from that, a few injuries that are causing him a bit of trouble so it’ll take a bit of time with both of them (Heeney & Brennan).

Focusing on Friday’s fixture, in the same interview Doherty said, "They seem to be doing really well under Stephen (O’Donnell). They've brought in a lot of new players, but you can see that sort of style Stephen's implementing.

“They haven't conceded many goals, they've a lot of clean sheets, they've five draws so they are very hard to beat. It'll be a big task but something we're looking forward to

Dundalk

Much like neighbours Drogheda United, Dundalk have only won a single game in the league. However, they remain unbeaten- picking up five draws and a win from their opening six fixtures.

On Monday, a goalless draw against league champions Shamrock Rovers meant that Stephen O’Donnell’s side picked up their third clean sheet of the season- a feat it took them fourteen games to achieve in 2021.

Derry City, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers all finished ahead of the Lilywhites last season and have shared the spoils in their respective encounters with the Louthmen in 2022.  Welsh trio Joe Adams, Dan Williams and Nathan Shepperd have all been called up to their Under 21 side this week and have had a positive impact so far in their short spell on the Carrick Road.

Another new arrival, Monaghan native Mark Connolly, has already opened his goalscoring account for the club as he bundled in the second goal on his league debut for the club against Derry City. The on loan Dundee United defender, speaking to his club media, looked ahead to Friday’s derby encounter.

I have played in a few, the Dundee derby and the Kilmarnock-Ayr derby, and I am looking forward to the Louth derby. It will be different but it’s one to enjoy, these matches are always ones to enjoy and look forward to.

“It will be a battle, it will be a tough game but it’s another game that we will be ready for. It’s a few games in a short space of time but we have a good squad, with players who are capable of beating anyone and it’s another match that hopefully we can get a good result and take the win."

Dundalk Head Coach Stephen O'Donnell, speaking to the club media about the game with Drogheda said,

“I watched their game with Sligo last week and they found themselves 3-0 down without doing too much to be 3-0 down. They had a couple of half-chances at nil-all and they have been competitive in every game, even if some of the score lines haven’t reflected that.

“They are a good team with threats in the attacking third, as we saw in the Jim Malone Cup, and Kevin will have them ready to go. It’s a derby, it’s a tight pitch and you don’t get anything easy up there. It’s going to be a tough game but it’s a great match to look forward to."

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

The last meeting of the sides came in February as Drogheda United won the Malone Cup following a 2-1 victory.

Last season saw Dundalk win three of the four league encounters between the sides however only one of the four  different Lilywhite goalscorers in 2021 remains at the club.

This will be the 98th league meeting between the sides and Dundalk hold the upper hand with 53 victories compared to 19 for Drogheda United and 25 draws.

Drogheda United’s stadium has been named Head in the Game Park for the past two seasons. Head in the Game was originally formed by a group of Dundalk fans in the aftermath of the passing of club videographer Harry Taaffe. The Mental Health Campaign is partnered with Shine and Jigsaw and fans across the league have been involved, as well as the PFAI and the FAI.

PREDICTION 

Drogheda United 1- 2 Dundalk FC

Drogheda United

Injured: Darragh Markey, Mark Hughes, Sean Brennan, Luke Heeney

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None