League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Dundalk

• Tom Clancy
• Fri, Oct 10 2014




ATHLONE TOWN

It’s clear that this result will have a massive influence on matters at both the top and bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Table. Athlone haven’t won since early July and last week’s defeat against Limerick can’t have helped the confidence of Keith Long’s side.

 

Louth native Sean Brennan is suspended, while John Mulroy and Sam O’Connor. Stephen Quigley is unavailable for the remaining games. The return of Barry Clancy, Aidan Collins and Graham Rusk last week signifies a timely boost to Athlone’s survival bid.


Goals will be key to Town staying up, despite not improving their goal difference in recent weeks, Athlone’s favourable goal difference could grant them a play-off place, though getting a point in their closing three games is a minimum Keith Long will need.
 

Athlone will feel aggrieved that they lost the first home tie with the Lilywhites, with Richie Towell netting a penalty deep into stoppage time, despite protests from the home side.


DUNDALK

The proverbial banana skin presents itself to Stephen Kenny’s side this weekend. Level on points with Cork City, Dundalk have a vastly superior goal difference, as well as a game in-hand. The 17 League goals from Pat Hoban have been crucial, although a decent spread Towell (10), Byrne (7), Gartland (7) and McMillian (7) has been key to their march towards the ultimate prize in Irish football.
 

Stephen O’Donnell is nearing a return following his lengthy lay-off though McMillian, who’d gradually contributed more as the season went on, has been side-lined with an-ankle ligament problem. Simon Kelly (thigh), is also unavailable.
 

Despite netting over 100 goals across all competitions thus far, Dundalk will be aware that it is their away form which has been the reason that Cork City are within striking distance with just four games to go. Draws at Drogheda, Sligo and defeat to St. Pats meant that the excellent win over Cork in August has been undone, somewhat. 

 

Referee: Tomas Connolly

 

MATCH STATS

Ryan Coulter has kept just one clean sheet in his 11 League starts so far.


Dundalk have kept 5 (League) clean sheets away from home in 2014.


Phillip Gorman has hit 8 League goals, 11 fewer that Pat Hoban (19).

 

BETTING

Athlone Town 8/1 Draw 19/4 Dundalk 2/7

 

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1-3 Dundalk

 

  

Athlone Town

Injured:  John Mulroy, Sam O’Connor, Stephen Quigley

Suspended: Sean Brennan

 


Dundalk

Injured: David McMillan (ankle), Stephen O’Donnell (knee), Simon Kelly (thigh)