League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Dundalk

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints are looking to back to winning ways on Friday evening when they welcome Dundalk to Richmond Park (kick off 7.45pm).

Both sides had Mondays to forget earlier this week with horror goalkeeping displays by both net minders contributing to their team's defeats.

Jon Daly’s side, having won 1-0 in Galway on the opening night of the campaign, have lost their three subsequent games – Bohs (1-0), Derry City (2-1) and last Monday’s 3-1 loss in Waterford.

"The game against Waterford was obviously disappointing and frustrating,” said Daly when speaking to his club’s media team ahead of Friday’s game expected to be played out in front of the largest home crowd in years in Inchicore.

With Main Stand, Patron Stand and Camac Terrance tickets sold out, Saints supporters will be accommodated in the Shed End with home fans on all four sides of the ground.

“Home games are key and it's important that we turn Richmond into a fortress to try and pick up as many points as we can.

“My job, the staff's jobs and the players’ jobs are to get themselves going (after the recent defeats). We haven't got time to feel sorry for ourselves. It's an opportunity to go out and perform and get three points, and to get ourselves climbing back up the table.

“Dundalk's attacking threat is very good, they've got good pace on the sides, we have to play our game and give ourselves the best opportunity.”

DUNDALK

Stephen O’Donnell’s men sit bottom of the early season table with just one point from four games coming into Friday night’s trip to Dublin 8.

They began the season earning a point in elsewhere in south Dublin when they drew 1-1 against the champions Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght but lost the next three games.

Last time out they suffered a 5-0 humbling at home to Sligo Rovers. Goalkeeper George Shelvey let in four in the first half and got hooked at half-time. It was the worst result in the league for the Lilywhites at home in nearly 34 years.

“We need to forget about league tables and really hone in ourselves as a group, players and staff and just be a lot cleaner in absolutely everything we do, both sides of the ball,” said Stephen O’Donnell speaking to Dundalkfc.com.

“There’s no clear identity at the minute, with or without the ball, and we have to become a team that our supporters, at the bare minimum, know what they’re going to get on a Friday night.

Dundalk defender Andy Boyle didn’t pull his punches about his team’s performance in their recent 5-0 loss. “It’s hard to put into words, to lose in the manner we did on Monday,” said the skipper. “We know it’s not good enough. To lose 5-0 at home is unacceptable.

“A few weeks ago, we had a good performance at Shamrock Rovers, so we know it’s within the group. We’ve got to dust ourselves down, as a group we’ve got to stick together and get ourselves ready for the next game.

“You don’t want nights like Monday to happen in your career but it’s about what you do after and your response. That’s what we’ll be looking for on Friday.”

Referee: Ray Matthews

MATCH STATS

When the sides met in league action last year, Dundalk won the first encounter 5-0 in Oriel Park. The other game in Louth was a 1-1 draw, while the Athletic won both games in Richmond Park (1-0 and 3-1).

There were five different scorers in that 5-0 win for the Lilywhites - Patrick Hoban, Louie Annesley, Rayhaan Tulloch, Daniel Kelly and Connor Malley. Only Annesley is still with the club.

Dundalk’s last win in Dublin 8 was back in 2021 season when a Sam Bone own goal and David McMillan strike gave them a 2-0 victory.

The teams have played in league action on 163 occasions. St Pat's have won 56, there have been 47 draws and Dundalk have won 60 times.

PREDICTION

2-1 home win.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Tom Grivosti, Romal Palmer

Doubtful: Ryan McLaughlin

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None

Doubtful: Mayowa Animasahun, George Shelvey, Jamie Walker

Suspended: None. 

Stephen Bradley: 'We’re getting a lot of positive praise from politicians and people in government but we’re getting very little action’ - https://t.co/94rjArr8tjhttps://t.co/LJX365EfS3

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