Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

• Emmet Maloney
• Thu, May 14 2009


It is perhaps fitting that when many sporting eyes are fixed on the goings on at Baltray this weekend that the second Louth derby of the season takes place only a John Daly drive away at United Park (kick off 19.45)

Both teams come into the match on the back of 1-0 wins last time out and will be aiming to get back to back wins for the first time this season.

Drogheda claimed a long overdue first win of the season last week at Bray Wanderers Carlisle Grounds pitch. So with a timely boost to their confidence and at long last an injury list that is shortening rather than lengthening they can look forward to the game.

They will need no reminding that the previous derby match ended with a 3-0 reverse and the less charitable might suggest they were lucky to get nil that night.

Alan Matthews is keeping the feet of his squad on the ground and it should be remembered that the Drogs are still marooned at the bottom of the league and have scored in only one home game this season. That memorable occasion being way back on April the 3rd when they got a 2-2 draw against Shamrock Rovers.

The Lillywhites will travel with high hopes of taking three points back north with them. No new injury worries arose from their hard-earned win over Galway United last Friday. However two suspensions come into play this Friday and may well disprupt their preparations. Crucially the players missing are the influential midfielder George O’Callaghan and last weeks match winner Declan O’Brien, Chris Turner and Harpal Singh take their places in the squad.

The form of Dundalk has been consistently inconsistent this season and the result could be important psychologically to them. A win will have them looking to cement their mid table position and push on from there. A defeat could see them dragged back into the danger zone and looking over their shoulders.

After a relatively quiet week for Sean Connor, although the FAI did ask him down to Dublin for a chat, he is “Looking forward to the match and hoping that the game is a an advert of Louth football.” Perhaps with a thought to the pre season friendly at United Park where off the pitch activities made the headlines he hopes that “Both sets of supporters enjoy the game and let the players get on with their jobs.”

Extratime.ie Prediction: A low scoring draw, flying in the face of the bookies odds.