League Preview: Dundalk -v- Waterford

DUNDALK 

Dundalk will be without Dara Keane through injury when they host Waterford at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Lilywhites although welcome Koen Oostenbrink and Ross Munro back into the fold but Jamie Gullan and Mayowa Animasahun are doubts. 

And their boss Jon Daly knows how difficult it will be for his side against the Blues at home.

“Waterford are a very good team and they’ve got some fantastic players,” he said. “Padraig Amond is a fantastic striker and Maleace Asamoah has done well for them. 

“He’s a real threat for them and on the other side you’ve got Connor Parsons who is a fantastic player. Young Ben McCormack, who I had at Pat’s, is playing off the front and he is a very talented player so at the top end of the pitch, they’re a real threat and we’re going to have to be on our game defensively to nullify that.”

WATERFORD 

Waterford boss Keith Long is expecting a stern test of his side’s credentials when the Blues visit Dundalk on Friday night. 

Waterford won the Munster Senior Cup on Monday night against Kerry with a 2-1 win, despite fielding a much-changed side.

And they will be hoping they can use the experience of that against the Lilywhites.

“Dundalk is a very difficult place to go. They haven’t conceded a goal in eight games in Oriel Park, so that shows you the size of the task ahead of us tomorrow night,” Long said.

“With the new manager they have in Jon Daly & the quality of players they have, it will be a difficult challenge ahead, but we want to try & re-start after the short break with a positive display.”

Gbemi Arubi, Barry Baggley and Maleace Asamoah miss out through injury. 

Referee: Paul Norton.

PREDICTION 

Dundalk 2-0 Waterford 

Dundalk

Injured: Dara Keane.

Doubtful:Jamie Gullan, Mayowa Animasahun.

Suspended:None.

Waterford 

Injured: Gbemi Arubi, Barry Baggley, Maleace Asamoah.

Doubtful:None.

Suspended:None.