Dundalk -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

• Colman Hanley
• Thu, Jun 03 2010


The Airtricity League’s top two sides are set to meet in Friday night’s third round FAI Ford cup clash at Oriel Park (kick-off 7:45pm).

In what is the tie of the round, Dundalk will be aiming to reverse their recent fortunes against the Saints who have taken four points from the Lilywhites in their previous two league games this season.

The home side go into the game off the back of a 2-1 midweek away win over Waterford United in the EA Sports Cup. Goals from Stephen Maher and Fahrudin Kudozovic, and a man of the match performance by keeper Peter Cherrie was enough to see off the Blues.

Meanwhile for the Saints, they’ll be hoping to bounce back from two poor disappointing away defeats to Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers, the latter being a 4-1 hammering.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com, club captain Liam Burns spoke of the club’s eagerness to continue their good cup form and capture the FAI Ford Cup. “It’s great to win it. It’s a great day out, but when you get to the final you only really want to win it. There’s no point just going there for a day out. It’s a big trophy to win and it’s also another way to get into Europe. But that’s a long way down the line”.

However, despite the feel good factor currently surrounding the Airtricity league leaders and the home advantage that they will have, Burns accepted that their third round opponents from Inchicore will be very tough opposition.

“They’re going to be organised and get men behind the ball, and they’ll be looking to bounce back after disappointing results against Drogheda and Sligo, so we’ve got to be fired up. We’re the home team and we’ve got to take it to them. With it being the cup, it’s a one-off game. We don’t fear anyone, but we’ll respect them.”

Sadly for Lilywhites manager Ian Foster, Michael Synott will miss out through a knee injury and Burns, a one time FAI cup winner with Bohemians in 2008, is likely to sit out the game. In more welcome news, Foster is expected to recall JJ Melligan, Shaun Kelly and Neale Fenn following their rest from midweek duty against the Blues.

For the Saints, they hope that their 49 year wait for the FAI Cup will finally end this year. However manager Pete Mahon will be without the services of David McAllister as a result of receiving an extra two match ban for his sending off against Dundalk in the league. Derek Pender will miss out with a knee injury, but Brian Cash, a beaten FAI Cup finalist with Sligo Rovers last year, returns from a thigh strain.

For John Gill, current Saints assistant manager and former Dundalk manager, the game sees his side come up against one of the league’s best sides. “Dundalk is a real football club, it’s always a great football ground to play in and this has the makings of a very good game,” he told stpatsfc.com.

“Dundalk have been in the top two or three this season and full credit must go to Ian Foster. Like ourselves Dundalk have been working hard with a limited budget and it’s just a pity that one of the clubs will miss out at such an early stage of the competition, but that’s football.”

Venue: Oriel Park.
Referee: A Buttimer.
Paddypower.com Odds: Dundalk 7/5, Draw 21/10, Saint Patrick’s Athletic 15/8.

Dundalk
Injured: Michael Synott
Doubtful: Liam Burns (abdominal muscle tear)
Suspended: None.

Saint Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Derek Pender, Gareth Coughlan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: David McAllister.

Extratime prediction: Home side to edge it, 2-1.