Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

• Simon Carter
• Fri, May 29 2009


Dundalk go in search of only their third home win this season when Sligo Rovers visit Oriel Park for a Premier Division fixture for the first time in over ten years on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). The Lilywhites have lost four of their six outings at the border venue so far this year, the latest coming just last weekend when Saint Patrick’s Athletic snatched a 1-0 win thanks to Mark Quigley’s 33rd-minute strike.

Turner boost
However, central defender and captain Thomas Heary is encouraged by his side’s effort and insists they must remain focussed on their own task. “There’s a great bunch of lads here and they’re really putting everything into it,” Heary told dundalkfc.com. “It doesn’t matter what the teams around us do, it’s what we do that’s important, and we have to go out and perform (against Sligo).” For the game, Dundalk are boosted by the return of their top scorer Chris Turner, who served an automatic one-match ban last Friday.

Long absence
Not since 11 February 1999 have Sligo played a top-flight fixture at Oriel Park although they have visited for First Division meetings, most recently on 6 October 2005 when Sean Connor was manager of the Showgrounds outfit. The game ended 0-0. The clubs met for the first time since then on 4 April this year when goals from Darren Mansaram, Liam Burns and Turner gave Dundalk a 3-1 win in Sligo, the hosts’ reply coming through Rafael Cretaro - who is now suspended - late in the game before Owen Morrison blazed a penalty over the crossbar with two minutes remaining.

Extending stats
Dundalk have now not drawn at home in any competition in over one year (19 home matches). The last time a game finished level at Oriel Park was on 20 May 2008 when Longford Town held out for a scoreless draw. Indeed, the Lilywhites have not been involved in a scoreless draw since 8 August last (29 matches) when they took a point away from Sporting Fingal at the Morton Stadium. Sligo Team News
Sligo Rovers will have to plan without Sean Doherty(hamstring) and Mauro Almeida(ankle) for their trip to Dundalk on Friday night. Danny Ventre returns from suspension while Rafael Cretaro will serve a one game ban.

Extratime.ie Prediction: The draw duck will be broken, 1-1.