Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

• Gareth Penrose
• Thu, Sep 09 2010


A few weeks ago most pundits would have given solid odds on automatic relegation for Bray Wanderers but thanks to a dismal haul of one point from 21 from Drogheda United, the battle to avoid First Division football has been reignited. The Claret and Blue now face into a local Louth derby as they welcome Dundalk to United Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).

Last week, Drogheda gained their first point in six games, a penalty from Glen Fitzpatrick cancelling out a 21st minute strike from Ciaran Kilduff. Assistant manager Darius Kierans believed his side only came into it in the second period.

“I felt against UCD we never really started but we played much better in the second half. Corrie Treacy coming back into the side gives us some more options and hopefully our good performances will eventually pay off.”

Kierans will be under pressure to get points from the derby with Bray Wanderers snapping at his sides heels.

“There is no doubt that this is a massive game for both sides. In local derbies all form goes right out the window and we are certainly up for this.”

Drogheda will be without the services of Jamie Harris, Brendan McGill and Paul Crowley for the game. Harris picked up an injury during the week while McGill is still on the long term injury list. Crowley is suffering from an illness. On the positive side, Corrie Treacy returns to the squad.

Dundalk have not fared well in recent weeks either. Their only win in the last series of games came nine matches ago against Drogheda United when they won 2-1. Dundalk captain Liam Burns realises his team is going to need to start gaining points again if they want to avoid a playoff at the end of the season.

“I think if you said to someone we’ll get four points over the weekend, they’d take it. But our main aim is to go out to try to win both games. It’s within our capabilities. It’s just that confidence is a bit low at the moment so it’s going to be tough, but we have got to get points from somewhere.”

For the trip to United Park, Dundalk remain without Garry Breen (illness) and Alan Cawley (back). However, Daniel Kearns, who played an hour for the Republic of Ireland U21s in Turkey on Tuesday, is available, as is Tom Miller, who has not incurred any additional suspension for his red card at Sporting Fingal last month.

Drogheda United
Injured: Jamie Harris, Brendan McGill, Paul Crowley
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Dundalk
Injured: Garry Breen, Alan Cawley
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: D. Hancock

Extratime prediction: The relegation aspect of this game will only add to the derby madness, and like all good derbies they are impossible to predict, so the fence is where you will find my prediction, 2-2 and maybe a red or two to boot.