Sporting Fingal vs Dundalk

League leaders Dundalk can shoot nine points clear of title rivals Sporting Fingal, if they can defeat the Santry-based outfit when the sides clash at the Morton Stadium this Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). The Lilywhites’ almost perfect form in July has seen them move four clear at the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division standings, and another win here will further stamp their authority on the coveted sole promotion spot.

Last month, from a hectic schedule which seen them play six games in just 28 days, Dundalk accumulated 16 points from the 18 on offer - their only blot coming with a good scoreless draw away to Shelbourne. In their latest outing, last Thursday, the Louth club overcame Wexford Youths by a single goal - a 1-0 win that gave goalkeeper Chris Bennion his fifth clean-sheet in those six outings.

Sporting, meanwhile, have been the other most productive club in the division recently, as they have picked up 15 points from the same period. This, incidentally, compares to Waterford’s ten Shels’ six. However, despite the two form teams in the race for promotion going head-to-head, Dundalk manager John Gill insists that he is treating the game exactly the same as he did when Wexford Youths visited Oriel Park last week.

“The press will probably build this up to be a do-or-die game and a league decider - it’s not,” Gill stated. “It’s one game and the only thing at stake is three points. That’s what we’re looking at. We’re taking one game at a time. It doesn’t matter whether we’re playing Sporting Fingal or whether we’re playing Wexford. All we get is three points if we win the game.

“Sporting are a very good side, they’re a very experienced side and they’ve become more experienced in the last week. But, like me, they’re going to have to try to gel in their new players as well. I know from experience that if you bring too many new players into a squad that it can also have an adverse effect, like it did on us last year.

“Either way, whether we win the game - and, hopefully, we will - or whether we lose the game, this league is going to go right to the wire. Teams are going to drops points, including ourselves, and it’s about who can put a consistent run together. At the moment, we’re starting to do that with five wins and a draw in our last six games, and we’ve kept four clean-sheets in a row.

“But, I keep saying it to the players - we’ll focus on one game at a time. There’s going to be an awful lot of hullabaloo flying around in the papers about this game, because it is an exciting game, and there will be a lot written. But, at the end of the day, there are only three points at stake. It’s a big game, as Wexford at home was last week.”

Gill also pointed to his side’s impressive away form, which is the best in the division. “We certainly don’t fear playing away from home,” the boss said. “Our away record, in case people don’t know, we’ve played eleven, won six, drawn four and lost one, down in Waterford. And the one down in Waterford, it was our best performance of the season. With the focus and the experience that is in the dressing-room, I think we’ll give Fingal a good game.”

Opposition boss Liam Buckley believes that his team are coming up against the best in the division. “I know all of our players are relishing the opportunity of being involved in this game,” Buckley said. “Matches like these are what football is about; wanting to be tested against the best. In that respect, Dundalk are the benchmark in the First Division. Our previous two games against Dundalk this season have been close contests and there’s no reason why we can’t raise the performance levels enough to earn a result.

“Our 2-1 defeat away to Waterford United last Friday was a disappointment but one that I am confident we can overcome. I think a draw would have been a fair result but we won’t dwell on what’s gone before but instead concentrate on getting back on track.”

Team News: Dundalk again have no suspension worries, however, the squad will once more be minus the services of striker Robbie Martin (knee) and centre-half Aidan Lynch (calf). On the plus side, having made their debuts with substitute appearances last week, new signings Dessie Baker and Derek Doyle will both be in contention for a starting place. Sporting Fingal, meanwhile, will be without ex-Lilywhite left-back Brian Kelly, who misses out through a one-match ban as a result of accumulating four yellow cards. Midfielder Jim Crawford will also be absent due to a calf injury.