FAI Cup Preview: Wexford FC -v- Dundalk
Having scored twice in the last round against Longford, Greg Sloggett will be seeking another goal at Ferrycarrig Park Credit: Eddie Lennon (ETPhotos)
WEXFORD FC
Wexford FC take a break from chasing the final play off place to host 2020 FAI Cup winners Dundalk at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night (7.45pm KO).
The Slaneysiders are locked in a battle with Treaty United for that crucial fifth place in the First Division and are in good form in Ferrycarrig Park in the league, with only one defeat in their last five fixtures. Their last game played saw a 1-0 reverse at the hands of Longford Town last weekend - courtesy of an unfortunate own goal from defender Joe Manley.
They reached the second round of the cup after beating Sligo Rovers after extra time at the Showgrounds. A second half penalty from the Bit O’ Red’s prolific Aidan Keena looked set to put his side through the first round but a late Dinny Corcoran equaliser and a Luke McNicholas own goal meant the Slaneysiders advanced.
With attacking threats from the wings courtesy of the forward thinking Len O’Sullivan and Thomas Considine, coupled to the mobility of Harry Groome, Conor Crowley and Luka Lovic in the middle and the guile of Conor Barry, Conor Davis and the experience of Dinny Corcoran or Aaron Dobbs to choose from up front, Wexford will provide a stern test for a Dundalk side whose away record in the league this season has only seen three victories.
DUNDALK FC
Dundalk travel to Ferrycarrig Park on the back of a heavy 3-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium last Sunday evening. The Louthmen had a number of chances throughout the game but couldn’t find their way past the impressive Alan Mannus as the Hoops extended their lead at the top of the table and look well placed to hold onto their league trophy for another year.
In the FAI Cup, the Lilywhites comfortably dispatched of Longford Town with a 4-0 win at Oriel Park thanks to a double from Greg Sloggett and strikes from Pat Hoban and Joe Adams. 2012 was the last season the Oriel Park outfit were knocked out of the competition before the semi final stage with six successive Final appearances from 2015-2020, winning three times.
Last season, a Stephen O’Donnell coached St Patrick’s Athletic beat Dundalk 3-1 in their semi final while it is over 20 years (2001) since they were knocked out of the competition by a team from a lower division when losing to Portmarnock.
Injuries have seen Dundalk stretched in recent games with the back four on Sunday finishing up as John Mountney (who hasn’t started a league game all season), Sam Bone, Lewis Macari (playing at right back for most of the season) and Robbie Benson (a midfielder). Pat Hoban, Dan Kelly and Paul Doyle are all ruled out while there are doubts over Robbie McCourt who limped off in the defeat to Shamrock Rovers.
Speaking to club media ahead of the game, Dundalk Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell was positive about tonight’s opponents,
“I watched them against Longford Town last Saturday. They’re a good footballing side and they try and play and build out from the back. If we let them, they’ll have good passages and get into dangerous areas so we will have to be on our mettle. If you look at their results in the first division, they have done well against the top teams and they also beat Sligo Rovers away in the last round of the cup.”
Referee: Adriano Reale
MATCH STATS
Wexford boss Ian Ryan was a First Division winner with Dundalk in 2008, while his senior career also took in spells at UCD, Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda United and Shelbourne. His first coaching job in the League of Ireland was with UCD where he served as Assistant Manager under 3 different managers before taking the reins at Wexford in 2021.
Dundalk last travelled to Ferrycarrig Park on this day in 2016 when a lone David McMillan strike was enough to separate the sides- Shane Keegan in charge of Wexford as Dundalk were set to embark upon their maiden Europa League Group Stages while he was also on the sidelines, this time for the Lilywhites as they took part in their second Group Stages in 2020.
Wexford reached the quarter finals of the FAI Cup last season before being knocked out by eventual winners St Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 in the quarter finals. The Athletic beat Dundalk 3-1 in the next round before defeating Bohemians on penalties in the final.
PREDICTION
Wexford FC 1 - 2 Dundalk FC
Wexford FC
Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Jack Doherty
Suspended: None.
Dundalk
Injured: Patrick Hoban, Brian Gartland, Paul Doyle, Daniel Kelly
Doubtful: Robbie McCourt
Suspended: None
