Dundalk -v- Derry City

• P.J. Murray
• Sat, Oct 08 2011




Derry City need to win when they travel to Oriel Park to keep their slim aspirations of League glory alive. The Candystripes have had a dream, but not surprising, season when for a long time they were credible title contenders, but recent slip ups against Drogheda United and Bray Wanderers have hampered Stephen Kenny’s chances of adding to his EA Sports Cup win.

 

However they face a Dundalk side who are going through a certain period of turmoil as Ian Foster looks likely to step aside come the end of the season and there are murmurs that fans should boycott the forthcoming games in protest at both the financial and positional situation of the club.

 

Dundalk have failed to win in their last six league games, as their predicted top half table finish has disintegrated and they try to avoid slipping below UCD. Their most recent game was a 5-0 thrashing at Sligo.

 

Stephen Kenny has no intention of giving up the title chase, I still believe we have a chance of winning the league, but we’ve got to take advantage of any slip-ups in the weeks ahead. Even a drawn game for either of the two ‘Rovers,’ Shamrock or Sligo, could let us back into it,” he answered.

 

“If Sligo Rovers or Shamrock Rovers manage to win their remaining matches, then they will have deserved to win the title and we will congratulate them,” added the Brandywell boss.

 

Ian Foster has several selection problems ahead of the visit of Derry, the injury list at Dundalk seems to grow week after week. Mark Griffin looks to be out for the rest of the season having been diagnosed with osteitis pubis. He adds to the list which already contains Eoghan Osborne, Colin Hawkins and Stephen Maher. Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger are both suspended for the clash. However Jason Byrne returns to the team after sitting out his one game suspension and Carl McHugh comes back from International duty.

 

Stephen McDonnell has really stepped up for Foster and despite not being at 100% he has managed to come in and help the squad out when they were understrength through suspensions and injuries.

 

However after he has picked his starting XI the Liverpool native will play no part in the game as he will be sitting out a one match ban after being sent from the touchline in Dalymount recently. Tom Connolly sent Foster off after the Oriel manager somewhat fervently disagreed with the referee’s decision during their 1-0 defeat to Bohs in the FAI Ford Cup. He had also dismissed Dean Bennett earlier in the game.

 

This will mean that former Drogheda United manager Darius Kierans will run the side line for the Lilywhites.

 

Stephen Kenny arranged a friendly in Fermanagh to give some of his players some much needed match fitness ahead of the final run in. Shane McEleney, Ruairi Harkin, Mark Farren, Owen Morrison and David McDaid were all included in the panel. However he will be without Eddie McCallion and Ryan McBride who limped off against Bray. However he will be boosted by the return of Barry Molloy and McEleney from suspension.

 

Dundalk FC

Injured: Mark Griffin, Eoghan Osborne, Colin Hawkins and Stephen Maher

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Dean Bennett and Greg Bolger and manager Ian Foster

 

Derry City

Injured:  Eddie McCallion and Ryan McBride

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

 

Paddypower Odds: Dundalk 5/1, Draw 11/4, Derry City 8/15

Extratime.ie Prediction: Derry will have more desire to win this while Dundalk just look in a downward spiral, 3-0 to the Candystripes