Malahide United -v- Dundalk
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MALAHIDE UNITED
Leinster Senior League side Malahide United welcome Dundalk to Gannon Park with a view to causing a Cup upset on Friday night. Former Lilywhite player Vinny Perth is in charge of the non-league outfit who defeated fellow non-league side Blarney United 4-1 in the previous round.
At home Malahide will fancy their chances against a struggling Dundalk side and they will feel that they will never have a better opportunity to beat league opposition.
Malahide United come into this game at the beginning of their season and have several former league of Ireland players in their ranks. Robbie Hedderman and Alan Keely are former Shelbourne players and Keely is the son of Lilywhite legend Dermot. League of Ireland legend and Irish international Glen Crowe, who has two FAI Cup medals himself, is
also part of their squad. This experience could prove vital if they are to claim a berth in the quarter-finals.
Being at home is a distinct advantage and having relative experience throughout their side is also a plus. They will know that Dundalk have lost more matches in the FAI Cup to non-league opposition than any other league of Ireland side (six). They will be hoping to make that seven defeats for the Lilywhites on Friday evening.
DUNDALK
Having beaten St. Patrick’s CY in the previous round, Dundalk face another non-league side this week in the form of Malahide United. The Lilywhites come into this match on a winless streak of 14 games which was extended on Monday night following defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic.
The future off the field finally looks brighter for the club as they have secured their future, and on the field the club know they need to improve also or they could find themselves in the First Division next season.
The Lilywhites welcome the return of Chris Shields from suspension for the trip to Gannon Park. Liam Burns, part of the Bohemians side who defeated Malahide United at Gannon Park in 2007, is still out with a dead leg but he is nearing a return. New signings Stephen Maher and Paul Murphy are unavailable being cup-tied and unregistered respectively, while Paul Whelan is also cup-tied.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com, interim manager Darius Kierans has warned that the tricky tie could be a ‘banana skin’ but admits he is looking forward to the task.
“There’s no doubt it’s a potential banana skin for us but there are a lot harder draws in there, Malahide United have one of the best setups in the country. They have a fantastic pitch and club. It’s by no means an easy draw. It’s going to be a very difficult place to go, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”
Referee: James McKell.
MATCH STATS
This is the first meeting between the sides.
Dundalk have faced non-league on 29 occasions and have lost 6 of those ties, more than any other league of Ireland side.
Dundalk haven’t won any match since beating non-league St. Patrick’s CY in the previous round on May 25th. That was 14 games ago.
BETTING
Malahide United 5/1, Draw 11/4, Dundalk, 8/15.
PREDICTION
Despite not being in the best of form, Dundalk should be too strong for their opponents but won’t have it easy. 1-0 to the visitors.
Dundalk Injury news: Liam Burns(dead leg).
Dundalk Suspension news: None.
Dundalk Unavailable: Paul Murphy (unregistered), Stephen Maher and Paul Whelan (both cup-tied)
Malahide Injury news: Unavailable.
Malahide Suspension news: Unavailable.
