Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

• Jessica Farry
• Thu, Aug 11 2011


Mick Cooke’s Drogheda United welcome Dundalk to Hunky Dorys Park for the third Louth derby of the season on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm).

Both fixtures between these two sides this season ended in away victories and both have finished with the same score (1-2). Their first meeting at Hunky Dorys Park was Dundalk’s first away win of the season when Daniel Kearns scored late on to give The Lilywhites all three points after it looked it would finish in a 1-1 draw. In their last clash, Drogs pulled off a shock win when they defeated Ian Foster’s men 2-1 at Oriel Park. That was Drogheda’s first league win over The Lilywhites in 13 years.

Dinny Corcoran was the scorer of the first Drogheda goal and a stunning free kick from Philip Hand doubled their lead. Daniel Kearns pulled one back for Dundalk in the 85th minute but it was too little, too late.

Drogheda will almost certainly be full of confidence after they defeated Bray Wanderers at the weekend. Goals from Dinny Corcoran and Philip Hand were enough to beat The Seagulls despite an 89th minute goal from Danny McGuinness.

Mick Cooke said that his team are confident that they can get a result against Dundalk: “The lads did well against Bray and with all the work they put in they deserved that. The confidence is high, but we know Dundalk are going to be a different prospect. Ian Foster has produced a good side this year and they showed that when they got a point against Sligo last week. We will be quietly confident that we can get a result on Friday night.”

In terms of team news, Brian Gannon will return from suspension, while Jack Flynn and Colm O’Brien are still ruled out due to injury.

Dundalk scored a very late penalty to notch a draw against ten-men Sligo Rovers on Sunday evening. Sligo took the lead in the 88th minute but Mark Quigley equalised with his penalty in the 93rd minute.

Ian Foster is still without long-term injury victims Eoghan Osborne, Stephen McDonnell and Colin Hawkins. Nathan Murphy is a doubt as he is recovering from a toe operation.

Drogheda United
Injured: Jack Flynn, Colm O’Brien.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Dundalk
Injured: Eoghan Osborne, Stephen McDonnell, Colin Hawkins.
Doubtful: Nathan Murphy.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Richie Winter.

Paddy Power Odds: Drogheda 4/1; Draw 12/5; Dundalk 7/10.

Extratime prediction: Given the recent form of both these sides, a 1-1 draw.