League Preview: Dundalk FC -v- Derry City

DUNDALK

It’s the battle for second place at Oriel Park as Dundalk entertain Derry City on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). For Dundalk, fighting it out at the top of the table was above the expectations of most Lilywhite supporters at the outset of this campaign with a new management team in place and the majority of last season’s squad being overhauled. 

The hosts currently sit second, two points ahead of their visitors having played a game more. Last month’s defeat to Drogheda United, was their first since mid April and their defence has racked up a total of eleven clean sheets in the campaign so far.

However, one of the central pillars of the defence was loanee Mark Connolly. The ex Dundee United defender has since signed for Derry City and will be returning to Oriel Park tonight for the first time since his move to the Brandywell Stadium. In his absence, Sam Bone has partnered Andy Boyle in the centre of the Lilywhite defence which remains without the influential Brian Gartland.

Speaking with his club’s media ahead of the game, Dundalk head coach Stephen O'Donnell spoke about the players who had swapped sides as of late (the aforementioned Connolly, Cameron Dummingan, Will Patching, Patrick McEleney and Michael Duffy all appeared for the Lilywhites in recent seasons).

“There will obviously be a lot of focus on the lads in the Derry team who are coming back to Oriel Park. A lot of them had a good history with Dundalk. They are all good lads, I know most of them, and they were excellent for Dundalk.”

“They’ll be looking forward to coming back and we look forward to welcoming them back but our crew here at the minute have been brilliant and we’re forming a new team, a new squad, and a new identity and, hopefully, in years to come we’ll be talking all about this current crop.

We have already enjoyed some good memories this season,” he added. “We have won 10 on the bounce at home and the players that we have now have been brilliant.

“Some of them have been here for a longer period of time but in the main, we have new players who we believe can establish themselves as firm favourites and really good Dundalk players in their own right from here on in.”

DERRY CITY

Derry City will travel to Oriel Park looking to take revenge on their visitors for defeat earlier this season at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium- theLilywhites’ first away win of the campaign was in the middle of a seven game winless streak for the Candystripes. 

However, three league wins on the bounce since and an FAI Cup thrashing of Oliver Bond Celtic have tempered their disappointing European exit and allowed fans to dream of success this season, a win tonight would propel Ruaidhri Higgins men into second place with a game in hand and six points behind Shamrock Rovers who themselves look set for an extended Euro campaign.

Last weekend’s emphatic Cup win saw a hat trick for debutant Declan Glass while central defender Mark Connolly also found the net in his first outing in the colours of the Foyleside men. Glass, along with the pacy James Akintunde- who netted a brace in the Cup- will be looking to push for a starting spot with recent recruit Ryan Graydon not available through injury. 

The influential Will Patching, who has been central to Derry’s title challenge so far, is also at risk of missing out on the game while on the positive side, Michael Duffy came through last weekend unscathed and may be primed for a start against his former outfit.

Speaking to his club media ahead of the clash, Ruaidhri Higgins said, 

“We’re coming up against a team that has a string of players who have won leagues and cups throughout their careers.”

“They have some quality young players too, hungry for success and it’s a good mix.”

“I’ve said all along that they won’t be far away come the end of the season and nothing has changed my mind since.”

“We’ve improved ourselves in recent weeks- winning three and drawing two of our last five league games prior to Saturday’s cup win.”

“I’m delighted with the business we’ve done in the transfer window and we’re looking forward to the rest of the season.”.

“Ryan (Graydon) picked up a knock towards the end of the cup game that rules him out and Will Patching is doubtful having missed the last few matches as well.

"I'd imagine it will be a decent contest because neither of these sides will be looking to 'park the bus'."

“There won’t be much in it but we’ll be approaching the match as we do with any other- trying to win it.”

Referee: Rob Hennessy

MATCH STATS

Mark Connolly scored on his Dundalk debut against Derry City in an opening night 2-2 draw between the sides. He then went on to score on his Derry City debut last weekend in their opening FAI Cup game of the season.

Derry City have five former Dundalk players in their squad with Mark Connolly, Patrick McEleney, Michael Duffy, Cameron Dummigan and Will Patching all on the books of the Lilywhites in the past couple of seasons while Dundalk FC goalkeeper Peter Cherrie and midfielder Greg Sloggett both plied their trade with the Candystripes earlier in their careers.

This is the third league encounter to be refereed between the sides this season with a Rob as the referee. Rob Harvey took charge of both previous encounters with Rob Hennessy to referee tonight.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2–2 Derry City

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Ryan Graydon

Doubtful: Will Patching

Suspended: None