Monaghan United vs. Dundalk FC

League leaders Dundalk make the short trip north to near neighbours Monaghan United for another crucial League of Ireland First Division fixture this Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3pm) at Kingspan Century Park, where they will be looking for their first win in over two years. Not since July 2006 have they taken maximum points away from the venue, which has been a murder scene on many occasions for Dundalk teams.

Most recently, the Lilywhites were relegated there seven seasons ago and have not seen Premier Division football since, while in the past two years, two title challenges have been derailed by damaging defeats at the ground. The last time they won there was in the club’s very first visit under John Gill’s charge when goals from Sean Finn, Philip Hughes and Christy Doran, who have all since departed, in the final 22 minutes gave Dundalk a 3-1 win.

In the four subsequent trips, Gill’s men have taken just two points. However, the boss is refusing to focus on any such statistics. “I’m not going to mention Monaghan or bogey grounds,” Gill declared to dundalkfc.com. “I didn’t mention Dermot Keely once last week, I didn’t mention Shelbourne once, and I’m not going to mention anybody else. All I’m going to say to the players is ‘enjoy yourselves and go out and express yourselves’. I think before, I have to put my hand up, maybe I put the players under a little bit of pressure talking about how high the stakes are.

“They know how high they are, they don’t need me telling them. But what they do need is reassurance from the manager that he’s got great faith in them, that he wants them to go out and to play the game in the right way and not just lump the ball in the air. Have a bit of thought and intelligence about what you’re trying to do, and our players are capable of doing that. I’m proud and privileged to be working with them, every time we go on the training pitch or play a game.”

The Louth club are guaranteed to be still at the head of affairs come Sunday evening no matter what the result - though Waterford United could cut their lead to just one point if they defeat Longford Town on Saturday night. However, that match in the midlands is the last thing on Gill’s mind. “I’ve lost sleep I don’t know how many times worrying about what other teams do,” he said. “I can’t influence what’s going to happen in other games. All I can do is try to make sure that we’re right and we’re prepared in the best possible manner.”

Dundalk’s Mister Versatile, Paul Marney, meanwhile, feels a similar work-rate to that shown against Shelbourne last week should be good enough to yield a similar result. “Monaghan is always a tough place to go to,” Marney admitted to dundalkfc.com. “But if we go down with the attitude that we showed against Shels, then I think we should be alright. It was just another three points last week. This game with Monaghan is another big one for us. We’re just looking at each match as it comes and the next ninety minutes of football.”

The Lilywhites have been clear at the top of the table since mid July, however, they are without an away win since defeating Longford Town 3-0 at Flancare Park almost two months ago - their longest sequence without a win away from home in just over a year. On their last away outing, they threw away a 2-0 lead in a 2-2 draw with Athlone Town at Lissywoollen. However, they have since recorded highly impressive wins over Kildare County and Shelbourne in two successive home matches, and should enter this game full of confidence having seen their advantage at the top extended thanks to Waterford’s scoreless draw at Shelbourne last Monday night.

Team News: Manager John Gill’s options are again limited in defence due to suspension as he must now plan without centre-half Ian Ryan, who is ruled out as a result of accumulating four penalty points. Simon Kelly, who made his first start last week since returning to the club in the July transfer window, is expected to again partner Ben Whelehan at the heart of the defence. On the plus side, the backline is given a major boost by the return of experienced pair, right-back and captain John Flanagan and left-back David Crawley, who both come back into contention after serving one-match bans. Striker Trevor Vaughan, however, will once again be absent as he’s currently on honeymoon, while fellow forward Robbie Martin is also another week away from a return to action. Both are expected to be available for next week’s visit of Longford. Monaghan, meanwhile, have no injury or suspension worries.