League Preview: Dundalk -v- Limerick

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Aug 14 2014




DUNDALK

The Lilywhites will be looking to get back to winning ways following last week’s derby draw, when they host an inform Limerick side, at Oriel Park, on Friday night.

 

Despite being held  to a 1-1 draw by arch rivals Drogheda United Stephen Kenny’s side still boast being 12 games unbeaten in the league, and Kenny insists that his side are brimming with confidence.

 

“We’re playing with great confidence at the moment. Certainly the players have been excellent in their run of form over the past few weeks and credit to them,” Stephen Kenny told dundalkfc.com.

 

Friday’s meeting with Limerick will see The Lilywhites play at home in the league for the first time since the later stages of last month, and Lilywhites’ boss, Stephen Kenny admits he can’t wait to see his side back playing in front of the Oriel Park faithful once again.

 

“We have been away from home for the last while so we’re happy to be back at Oriel Park, back in front of our own supporters. Our home form has been terrific this year so we want to keep that going.”

 

Stephen Kenny is aware of the threat posed by Martin Russell’s Limerick side, but insists that his side are optimally prepared, and believes that his charges are full of confidence heading into the tie.

 

“Limerick will give us a tough game. There is no doubt about that and they have had some good results in recent weeks, playing good football. From our point of view, we are in good form at the moment. We are playing well and scoring goals. We are expecting a difficult game but we’ve prepared well and looking forward to the game,” Kenny concluded.

 

Dundalk defender, Dane Massey insists that the squad are aware of the game they face on Friday night, and insists that there is no room for complacency heading into the fixture.

 

“Limerick have Martin Russell in as manager now, a good manager and he is doing a great job so far. They have got some great results recently since he has come in so we know it won’t be an easy game,” Massey told dundalkfc.com.

 

Lilywhite’s Captain, Stephen O’Donnell remains sideline with a knee injury, while defender Simon Kelly is doubtful with a calf injury.

 

LIMERICK FC

The Blues travel north to face the table toppers in a rich vein of form, having recorded back to back home 4-1 wins against Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers in recent weeks.

 

Blues manager, Martin Russell fully understands the size of the task that awaits his side on Friday night, but feels that Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk side will also be wary of his side’s strengths heading into Friday’s clash.

 

“We know it’s going to be a tough challenge come Friday but equally we would like to think that they’ll be thinking Limerick are going to give them a tough challenge,” Russell told limerickfc.ie.

 

Russell  has recorded back to back 4-1 home wins against Shamrock Rovers and Bray respectively, however the ex UCD boss  insists that his side must continue to build continuity by challenging Dundalk, on Friday night.

 

 “It’s important to get consistency about it, that it’s not highs and lows. We know we’re going to have to be on top form playing against a very good Dundalk outfit.”

 

Although Russell believes that Dundalk are under heavy pressure to win the title, he insists that he’s more concerned with managing the Munster side’s expectations and pressures.

 

“I think the pressure is on them to go and achieve the title, but we’ve talked about our own pride and our own pressure from within that we want to perform well.”

 

Limerick midfielder, Ian Turner believes that The Blues squad  is full of confidence and thinks that himself and his team mates can cause problems for the table toppers, on Friday night.

 

“But we’ve also won our last two games so we should be going there with confidence and, like I said, knowing that we’ll be able to trouble them,” Turner told limerickfc.ie.

 

Martin Russell has doubts over the fitness of Kieran Djilali and Prince Agyemang, who have respective knee and hamstring injuries. Shane Tracey is also back in training following a foot injury, while Shane Duggan is back in contention after a hamstring injury.

 

Referee: Rob Rodgers.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have scored  35 goals this season, more than any other top flight team.

 

Limerick have scored just nine times on the road this season, no side have scored fewer.

 

The Lilywhites recorded 2-1 victories, in each of the side’s meetings earlier on in the season.

 

 

BETTING

Dundalk 4/11; Draw 10/3; Limerick 8/1.

 

PREDICTION

The pressure is off Limerick for this one. I’m anticipating an entertaining game where Dundalk’s character will be tested. I’m going to go for a 3-2 win for The Lilywhites.

 

 

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (Knee)

Doubtful: Simon Kelly (Calf).

Suspended: None.

 

Limerick FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Kieran Djilali (Knee), Prince Agyemang (Hamstring).

Suspended: None.