St Patrick's Athletic -v- Dundalk

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

In what is a rarity for St Pats this season, the Inchicore side are having only their second game at Richmond Park when they host high-flying Dundalk on Tuesday night

The Saints currently occupy mid-table, but they have the distinct dis-advantage of having played two fewer games than they majority of their opponents. Pats have only scored two goals in their three games, but when they have scored they haven’t been beaten. Winning 1-0 twice, but a 3-0 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers is a big blemish on the fixture list for Bucko’s team

Killian Brennan was the difference when Pats travelled to Thomond Park on Saturday night, the former Shamrock Rovers midfielder scored a penalty after 19 minutes to seal another 1-0 win

Pats defensive ability has to be a plus, but the fact they have only scored one goal from open play must worry The Saints fans. The draw specialists of last season were hampered by a lack of goal-scoring ability, but while other teams are five games in, Pats are still only starting their season and it’s too early to read too much into their results

Speaking to stpatsfc.com, Saints’ defender Ger O’Brien spoke of the happiness within the Saints’ camp after the weekend win against Limerick, pointing to the fact that the group were delighted to end their two week lay-off of no fixtures with a win

“Saturday’s win against Limerick was very good considering we had no game for 2 weeks after the defeat to Shamrock Rovers.  We knew we had to get a result to move up the table and we really wanted to put that last performance right so it was a great 3 points.  I thought it was a really professional performance as we played well when we had to, and then defended well and worked hard when the time came

In team news, the only injury worry for Liam Buckley is Shane McFaul.  Having picked up a muscle strain in the 1-0 victory over Limerick, the midfielder will undergo a late fitness test to assess his condition. Otherwise, Buckley has a full squad to select from.

DUNDALK

The Lilywhites trek to Inchicore having salvaged a 2-2 against their local and bitter rivals Drogheda United last Thursday. A sixty second blitz saw Stephen Kenny’s side convert two set-pieces to stun Drogheda, however with a man advantage they failed to finish the job

Dundalk have taken eight points from their first five games as Stephen Kenny has had a positive effect on the North Louth side. Kenny will be looking for his third straight victory on the road, a win which see Dundalk into second, a position the Lilywhites are not exactly used to occupying

Speaking ahead of the game, Stephen Kenny was in a buoyant mood, “You really can’t underestimate the value of persistence. Without that persistence we’d have nothing. We’ve battled in all our games so far and we’ve come away with points. All our goals have come late so maybe it’s time we started scoring in the first 15 minutes of games. A lot of our players are still learning about themselves and the Airtricity League. There are areas of improvement and we will improve

“St. Patrick’s Athletic will be another tough game. They have a formidable squad. Some really good players and they got a really good win against Limerick. They’ve started the season well but so have we. We have been really good away from home and we will step up to the challenge. After Pat’s, we’ll have played the top 4 from last season and we’ve done OK. Tuesday is a big game for all of us. We’ll prepare properly and be fully focused on the win.

Kenny only has to plan without the services of Stephen  O’Donnell who misses out for the fourth straight game with a calf injury.

Referee: Alan Kelly.

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have four former St. Patrick’s Athletic men in their squad – Darren Meenan, Mark Rossiter and Vinny Faherty – those three had a spell in Inchicore last season while Aaron Shanahan spent some time with the club earlier in his career.

Dundalk do not have a good recent record against St. Patrick’s Athletic – since 2009, there have been 16 meetings with Dundalk winning just 2, both in Dublin 8 while St. Patrick’s Athletic have won 12 and there have been 3 draws.

St Pats have only played once at home since the league started, the opening night, and they won 1-0 against Drogheda United.

BETTING

St Pats 10/13, Draw 5/2, Dundalk 9/2.

PREDICTION

Dundalk are in a rich vein of form while Pats are once again struggling to score, but I predict this will be a 1-1 stalemate.

St Patrick's Athletic

Injured: None
Doubtful: Shane McFaul
Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None