Dundalk -v- UCD

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Aug 05 2010


Dundalk host UCD in the Airtricity Premier Division at Oriel Park on Friday night in a game that will see both teams trying to rediscover their early season form following a recent run of poor results. (Kick- off 7.45pm)

Dundalk will welcome new signings Dean Barrett and Daniel Kearns to their squad which will help to redress the balance following the controversial departure of Neale Fenn. But with the continuing absence of Liam Burns and Alan Cawley, Dundalk’s resources are looking stretched at a crucial point of the season.

With just three points separating the two sides, Dundalk manager Ian Foster will be looking for his players to turn some recent positive performances into positive results. While he was pleased with his defence during last week’s defeat in Sligo he will be aware that his team have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last eight league games.

In that time only one win and one draw have been recorded by Foster’s men, a far cry from the opening months of the season when Dundalk went unbeaten for seven matches and topped the table.

Martin Russell, meanwhile, will be glad to have midfielder Greg Bolger back in his squad following suspension and reckons his team have unfinished business with their hosts. “We have a score to settle with Dundalk to whom we gifted goals on our last visit (a 3-0 defeat) although we turned the tables in the return match.”

With four defeats in their last five league outings Russell accepts that three points against Dundalk are vital if his side are to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle. “Now is the time for us to get back on track following our disappointing home defeat by Galway last week in a match we dominated for long periods. There’s not too much wrong with our performance, we need to translate it into points.”

Dundalk
Injured: Liam Burns, Alan Cawley.
Doubtful: Gary Breen, Stephen Lennon.
Suspended: None.

UCD
Injured: Brian Shorthall, Sean Harding, David McMillan.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Extratime prediction: A 1-1 draw that will please neither side.