Dundalk -v- Drogheda United
Credit:
Oriel Park will stage the final Louth derby of the 2011 season when Dundalk and Drogheda United clash on Friday evening (Kick-off 7.45pm).
This will be the sixth meeting of the neighbours in all competitions this season, however this time around the clubs will have little to play for except local bragging rights.
The poor form shown by both sides in recent months has meant that their respective positions in the league table (Dundalk – 7th and Drogheda – 9th) have been all but set in stone. Dundalk emerged with a 2-1 win the last time the two teams met in the FAI Ford Cup 4th Round Replay back in late August. Significantly, the Lilywhites have not won in their nine games since, and they have not won in the league since they beat UCD before the mid-season break.
Some of this can be put down to Dundalk’s terrible run of injuries, and for Friday’s match manager Ian Foster will again have to pick from a reduced hand. Long-term absentees Eoghan Osborne (fractured tibia) and Stephen Maher (fractured metatarsal) remain out, while Ross Gaynor misses out after accumulating eight yellow cards. Mark Griffin is also absent as he prepares to undergo surgery on a groin injury.
On the plus side Foster can welcome back central midfielders Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger from automatic suspensions, and defender Carl McHugh from international duty with the Republic of Ireland U19s.
Drogheda United have also struggled of late, with six defeats in their last ten league games, but they have also had victories over Bray and Galway during the same period. The visitors then find themselves in ninth position with their place in next season’s Premier Division secured, but Drogheda will hope to repeat their win over Dundalk at Oriel Park earlier in the season, their first league success against the Lilywhites in 13 years.
On the injury front, Jack Flynn and Colin O'Brien remain out for the rest of the season for the Drogs. Alan McNally is back in contention for selection after his suspension. Robert Duggan has also recovered from his shoulder injury, but midfielder Lee Lynch is a doubt having picked up a flu.
Despite the relatively low-key ending to the season for both sides, Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke highlighted the importance of this fixture for his side: “It's a great fixture for our last game of the season, the lads will be up for this and it should be a good game. We have already won up there and we ran them close in the cup, so there is no fear for us. We are looking forward to the game, they are always great occasions and we will want to end the last two games with two wins.”
The three previous league meetings between the sides this term has seen little to choose between the Louth rivals, with each side recording a win and the other match ending in a draw. This final
meeting of the season is likely to be another tight encounter between two fully committed sides, with a draw the likely result.
Dundalk
Injured: Eoghan Osborne, Stephen Maher, Mark Griffin.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Ross Gaynor.
Drogheda United
Injured: Jack Flynn, Colin O’Brien.
Doubtful: Lee Lynch.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 8/11, Draw 13/5, Drogheda United 10/3.
Extratime prediction: Dundalk 1-1 Drogheda United.
