League Preview: Dundalk -v- St. Patrick's Athletic

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Jun 13 2014




DUNDALK

Dundalk took everyone by surprise when they ran St Patrick’s Athletic mighty close in the Championship race of 2013 and they have shown in 2014 that any suspicions of that being a flash in the pan were woefully wide of the mark.

 

Dundalk have been in devastating form this season and they go into this crucial game against the reigning champions five points clear of second placed Cork City and six points ahead of St Pats.

 

A 4-1 win over Liam Buckley’s side on their own patch back in early April signaled the intent of the Lilywhites and a similar result on Friday would place the initiative for this year’s title run firmly in the hands of Kenny’s men.

 

Dundalk have lost just twice in the league this season. A shock 4-1 defeat to county rivals Drogheda United on the opening night was followed by eight unbeaten league matches and a 1-0 reverse against Bray Wanderers in late April heralded a run of six straight wins in the league during which the league leaders scored 23 goals. Add in a 3-0 FAI Cup win over the holders Sligo Rovers and it is easy to see why Oriel Park is such a happy place these days.

 

It is difficult to single out one aspect of Dundalk’s play that deserves special mention with a mean defence complimenting a ruthless attack, and all tied together by a midfield that has excelled. Goals come from all over the pitch with 12 different players registering on the goal charts and five of those bagging four or more.

 

Stephen Kenny’s has three injuries to deal with ahead of Friday’s game as well as the absence of central defender Andy Boyle who faces suspension. Stephen O’Donnell is out with a long term injury while Patrick Hoban and Keith Ward are also unfit to play.

 

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

With their hosts in such fine form, and with a six point gap between them in the league table, St Patrick’s Athletic will be fully aware of the importance of their meeting with Dundalk on Friday night.

 

With this game falling on the eve of the mid-summer break it will be strategically important for Liam Buckley’s team to avoid defeat at Oriel Park, but playing for a draw isn’t in the nature of the Inchicore side and the crowd are likely to see a game heavily weighted towards attack.

 

Pats have scored three or more goals in eight of their sixteen league games so far this season and their attacking trio of Christy Fagan, Conan Byrne and Chris Forrester have a combined total of 30 goals to date.

 

The 4-1 defeat they suffered at Richmond Park earlier in the season will no doubt concentrate minds in the visitors’ dressing room but Pats know they have the nous to cause Dundalk problems on their home patch. With a midfield containing James Chambers, Keith Fahey and Killian Brennan the Saints have the ability to hold and use the ball against even the strongest opposition but recent slip ups against Limerick and UCD also hint at the potential for Buckley’s men to come unstuck if they are not at their best.

 

Central defender Derek Foran is available for selection which is a timely boost considering the injury picked up by Sean Hoare against St Pats CY in the Cup last weekend. But Stephen Kenny will have to wait on a late fitness test before he can select full back Ger O’Brien.

 

Referee: Neil Doyle

 

MATCH STATS

In their last two league games, Pats and Dundalk have scored a combined total of 18 goals.

 

St Pat’s top three goal-scorers in the league this year (Fagan, Byrne and Forrester) have, on their own, scored more than the overall total of every other team except Dundalk.

 

Dundalk won two of the three league meetings between the clubs last season but still finished second to Pats in the final league table.

 

BETTING

Dundalk 5/4, Draw 23/10, St Pats 2/1.

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2-2 St Pats

 

Dundalk

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell, Keith Ward, Pat Hoban.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Andy Boyle.

 

St Patrick’s Ath

Injured: Sean Hoare.
Doubtful: Ger O’Brien.
Suspended: Andy Boyle.