League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

DROGHEDA UNITED

Ahead of a busy fortnight for the club, United host local rivals Dundalk in their final league game of the season on Friday night at Weaver’s Park. (KO 7.45pm)

While the Lilywhites travel south down the M1 for their last Premier Division game until at least 2026, Kevin Doherty’s Drogs are preparing to face Derry City in the showpiece FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium next weekend before a relegation Play Off Final the following weekend.

Despite the certainty of the respective league positions ahead of the Weavers Park clash, there’s plenty to play for as injury doubts linger over key Drogheda players Conor Kane and Frantz Pierrot while the home fans will no doubt be eager to remind visiting supporters of their impending departure from the top division.

Drogheda come into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to Shelbourne last weekend with Bridel Bosakani netting his first league goal of the campaign after replacing Douglas James-Taylor, one of a trio of substitutions made by Doherty shortly after his side went 2 goals down. The other switches saw Matthew O’Brien play his first league minutes since a July defeat at Oriel Park while defender Aaron Harper Bailey made his second league appearance of the season.  All three may make an appearance at Weaver's Park as the squad set up for a telling couple of weeks.

DUNDALK

The relegated outfit finish off a disappointing campaign with a trip to take on the last team they recorded a Premier Division victory against- back in July.

That 4-2 win was the catalyst for a shakeup in the Drogheda outfit as they rearranged to a 3-5-2 formation, reassigned Elicha Ahui to the right wing berth he had previously excelled in and restored the experienced David Webster to a defence which protected mid season recruit Luke Dennison.

However, for Dundalk it was as good as things got for the rest of the season as they were knocked out of the FAI Cup by their neighbours the following week before picking up three points from the next 33 available in the league- three away draws at Bohemians,Derry City and Galway United and eight defeats.

Head Coach Jon Daly, who previously masterminded St Patrick’s Athletic to FAI Cup glory, revealed that he was departing the club immediately after Friday’s encounter and it is expected that more departures are to follow as the club look to rebuild on and off the field.

Referee: Damien MacGraith

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United have won three of the most recent five encounters between the sides- a Leinster Senior Cup victory in February, a dramatic league win in May and that FAI Cup game in July. 

Dundalk defender Hayden Cann scored the winner for Drogheda United in the league earlier this season before joining their Louth rivals a couple of months later.

Drogheda United’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers was their first defeat in their past eleven games at Weavers Park, incidentally Rovers were the last team to beat them before that run started- Johnny Kenny scored in that game, the first of three goals in four games which culminated in the winner against Dundalk in July.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2 - 0 Dundalk

Drogheda United           

Injured:Zishim Bawa.

Doubtful:  Conor Kane, Frantz Pierrot.

Suspended:None.

Dundalk

Injured:Paul Doyle, Dan Pike

Doubtful: Josh O’Connor, Bobby Faulkner, Jamie Walker.

Suspended: None.