Preview: Wexford Youths vs Dundalk

• James Phelan
• Thu, May 22 2008




On Friday the 23rd of May at 8.00pm Wexford Youths will welcome Dundalk FC to Ferrycarraig Park . This game is of huge importance for both sides due to their positions at either ends of the table, but it also has another key factor that will hopefully cause it to be an exciting game. Last weekend Wexford Youths defeated Dundalk ’s youth team 4-0 in the final of the FAI Youth cup. That didn’t go down well with Dundalk ’s die hard fans and they most certainly wont want a repeat performance from their senior side.

Both sides are in indifferent form. Mick Wallace’s men are starting to look like a side capable of beating anyone in the league, but recently they suffered defeats to Waterford and Kildare. Although, those defeats came either side of a win over Limerick 37 and Wallace will hope that that victory and the two All-Ireland titles he collected over the weekend will spur his side on.

John Gill's team have gone off the boil somewhat of late. After a great start to the season they lost their place at the top of the league to Shelbourne. This was after two scoreless draws in a row to Monaghan and Longford. Even though his side have lost their goal scoring touch, Wexford will find it hard to break down their well organised defence. Gill won’t want a repeat of last season when his side looked destined for promotion, but they faded away in the summer period and were pipped at the top by Cobh Ramblers and Finn Harps. Dundalk ’s danger men are midfielder's David Cassidy (5 goals) and Ex-Shamrock Rovers man Jamie Duffy with 4 goals. Gill will know though that he can’t rely on his midfielder's to score all the goals and he will hope striker Robbie Martin can give them a hand.

Once again, Gill will have to alter his starting line-up, as right-back John Flanagan is ruled out with a troubling ankle injury. As a result, it will now be exactly one year (41 competitive games) since Dundalk have fielded the same team in two consecutive matches. The manager will also have to do without central midfielder Paul Shiels, who misses out through suspension after reaching four penalty points. On a positive note, striker Robbie Martin is likely to now be available from the start having fully recovered from injury.

Wallace has a few selection headaches, with Paul Murphy back from injury recently, he might be tempted to give four goal cup hero Danny Furlong a place alongside him. Also new Ireland Youth International Shane Dempsey might hope for a place in midfield. Wallace is likely to spare these talented players and they might have to settle for a place on the bench. Garret Larkin is still out injured and also Paul Rossiter picked up a knock against Limerick 37, but he should be fit to play. Joey Wadding is suspended having received an additional 1 game ban for his recent red card.

In previous meetings between the two Wexford haven’t done so well. Losing all the meetings last season and also losing a tight contest at Oriel Park earlier in the year. Wallace’s men have drastically improved this year and Dundalk face a tough challenge. The bookies have Wexford at 21/10, Dundalk at 11/10 and the draw at 11/5. The game is too hard to call, however one can be sure Dundalk won't fancy loosing to another of Wallace's teams this week.