League Preview: Dundalk -v- Drogheda United

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DUNDALK

A large crowd is expected in Oriel Park for the meeting of Louth neighbours Dundalk and Drogheda United on Friday night in the Premier Division.

This will be the first installment of a double-header between the sides with the Lilywhites making the short trip to Weaver’s Park in the second round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup on Friday 19th July.

Billed as one of the biggest Louth Derbies in recent memory, both teams will be seeking to pick up valuable points as they bid to avoid relegation.

In his pre-match conversations on the club’s social media channels Dundalk manager Jon Daly acknowledged that “there’s a lot on the line and both teams will be pushing for the win”.

Dundalk’s 1-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght in their last league fixture coupled with a 1-1 home draw for their Louth rivals against table-toppers Shelbourne narrowed the gap between the bottom sides to just two points.

Victory for the Lilywhites against their fellow Louth club would see them extend the gap to five points with a dozen games left to play, however, should the visitors secure a win in Oriel Park they will overtake their local rivals and move to ninth position in the league table.

The sides last met in an entertaining early afternoon encounter on May bank holiday Monday in Weaver’s Park, with the Boynesiders claiming the victory courtesy of a Hayden Cann header in the 94th minute.

Much has changed in the intervening weeks with a new manager on the sideline for Dundalk and several personnel since the transfer window opened.

The transfer window has also seen several new arrivals in Dundalk, and subject to international clearance, Jon Daly may be naming a new shot-stopper for the Louth derby having welcomed German-born Felix Goddard on loan from Blackburn Rovers.



Bobby Faulker, who made his debut against the defending champions last week, is in line for his first home appearance while fellow central defender the afore-mentioned Hayden Cann will also be hoping to kick-start his Dundalk career against his former club.

Recent arrival Jad Hakiki who made his debut in Tallaght Stadium last week will be hoping to retain his place in the starting XI while Norman Garbett and Scott McGill will be hoping that their performances off the bench against Shamrock Rovers will have helped to earn them a first start. Dundalk’s most recent signing, Dan Pike, was announced on Thursday but like Goddard is awaiting international clearance.

Drogheda United

The Boynesiders come into this tie without an away win since last September when they earned a 2-1 victory over a St. Patrick’s Athletic side managed by current Dundalk boss Jon Daly.

Kevin Doherty’s side have collected just four points on the road since that, but one of those was a scoreless draw with this weekend’s opponents on April Fool’s Day.

Drogheda played the last 20 minutes of that match with 10 men following Luke Heeney’s dismissal.



Despite their position at the foot of the league table, Drogheda have proven themselves to be tough opposition for the leaders, holding Shelbourne to a draw for the third time this season. It was Walsall loanee Douglas James-Taylor who converted a penalty late on at Weaver’s Park to earn a valuable point for Kevin Doherty’s team.

James-Taylor is one of four signings made by Drogheda United during this transfer window with Lincoln City’s Elicha Ahui signing until the end of the season, midfielder Shane Farrell joining from Shelbourne and 27-year old goalkeeper Luke Dennison arriving from Bohemians.

Speaking to LOI TV after their hard-fought draw against Shelbourne Kevin Doherty was full of praise for his players and the work rate they displayed. Although he asserted: “You don’t get over-excited about a draw,

“But I am getting excited about the performance and about how much energy we had and how a lot of stuff I was hoping would work worked, and it gives us eight days to work before Dundalk.2

Referee: Rob Hennessy.

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1-1 Drogheda United

 

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.

 

Drogheda United

Injured: Jethren Barr, Aaron McNally, Gary Deegan, Zishim Bawa.

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: None.

 

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