League Preview: Dundalk -v- Derry City

Patrick McEleney has established himself as a real leader for Derry City in recent times

Patrick McEleney has established himself as a real leader for Derry City in recent times Credit: John-Paul McGinley (ETPhotos)

DUNDALK

Dundalk welcome Derry City to Oriel Park on Friday evening in a bid to keep their European hopes alive (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites come into the game off the back of a narrow 1-0 loss against Shamrock Rovers last weekend at Tallaght Stadium.

But Dundalk can take positives from their showing and their boss Stephen O’Donnell has done as much.

“We just need to focus on ourselves, put in a good performance and see where that puts us at 10 o’clock on Friday night. Let the others battle it out as well,” he said.

“Last week’s defeat was frustrating.

“But after watching it back, there were lots of positives that we could take out of it and we’d like to carry a lot of the performance into Friday night.

“If we do that, then it goes without saying that we’ll be in a healthier position than where we started the night.”

Dundalk remain without Keith Ward and John Mountney through injury. Ryan O’Kane is set to return while Andy Boyle is a doubt.

DERRY CITY



Ruaidhri Higgins is raring to go and ensure his Derry City side get back to winning ways when they play Dundalk at Oriel Park.

The Candystripes were held to a 2-2 draw against Bohemians last week but are still in contention for the league title.

But they head to Dundalk without the suspended Sadou Diallo and Ronan Boyce is a doubt. Colm Whelan and Ciaron Harkin remain out injured.

“Dundalk are playing well themselves and we know they’ll be really difficult to beat as they always are,” Higgins said.

“They’re still in this race too and they have plenty of title-winning experience between them – especially in that front three – so we know what we can expect.

“As I’ve said before, we’re in good form ourselves, maybe without always getting the results we feel we deserve recently, but we’re only looking ahead.



“They’re all big games from now until the end of the season, and this is certainly one.”

Referee: Damien MacGraith.

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 0-2 Derry City

 

Dundalk

Injured: Keith Ward, John Mountney.

Doubtful: Andy Boyle.

Suspended: None.

 

Derry City

Injured: Colm Whelan, Ciaron Harkin.

Doubtful: Ronan Boyce.

Suspended: Sadou Diallo.

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