League Preview: Dundalk -v- Derry City

• Macdara Ferris
• Fri, May 15 2015




DUNDALK

The Lilywhites welcome the Candystripes to Oriel Park as the champions seek to make it 11 wins out of 13 in the league so far this season. Dundalk are on a club record run of 22 matches unbeaten in all competitions and go into the game confident of picking up another three points following their 2-0 away victory over Longford Town last weekend.

 

Second half goals from Daryl Horgan and substitute John Mountney gave the Lilywhites all three points as they cemented their place at the top of the table. However their lead was cut to four points over second placed Cork City after their win last Monday night, as the Leesiders moved forward their game against Drogheda United which was clashing with a European tie in July.

 

When Dundalk traveled to Derry earlier in the season, Stephen Kenny’s men earned a 1-0 win in the Brandywell thanks to Dane Massey’s 65th minute goal. Last season in Oriel Park, the Lilywhites won both encounters handily shutting out Derry twice in 3-0 and 5-0 victories.

 

“We’re on a great run at the minute so we just have to stay in good form and not get complacent,” was David McMillan’s take on the game against the Derrymen when he spoke to dundalkfc.com ahead of the match. “Every game is so difficult that we play so we know that we have to be on top of our game to get anything out of them. There are no easy games in this league and you see that every week with the way that results go.

 

“Derry City will be a different test altogether, they are a good side who are looking for points themselves,” said the striker who has scored five times in the league this season.

 

“They are a tough team to play against and we got a really difficult game up in the Brandywell earlier in the season. So we know how hard it will be but our home form has been so good and we are really confident at Oriel Park so we will be going out to win the game and hopefully we keep our run going.”

 

For this match Dundalk will be without the influential Brian Gartland who will be sidelined for a number of weeks after suffering a hamstring injury last weekend in the City Calling Stadium in Longford. Meanwhile Paddy Barrett is in line for his first league start for the club and Stephen O’Donnell is back to full fitness and is pushing for a place in Stephen Kenny’s starting line-up.

 

Daryl Horgan has got four league goals to his name so far this season and he spoke exclusively to the extratime.ie Sportscast during the week about how the season has gone. “We are going into games with confidence,” said Horgan ahead of the Derry match. “When you are playing the way we have been, you feel you are going to get something out of the game.”

 

-- You can here Daryl Horgan’s interview on the Extratime.ie Sportcast in full here --

 

 

DERRY CITY

The drama for Derry in the Bogside last week regarded the players in between the sticks. Striker Anthony Elding ended up going in goal in their 2-0 loss to Galway United when goalkeeper Ger Doherty injured his back in the first half and then his replacement Shaun Patton took a heavy knock with 19 minutes left in the game.

 

Doherty remains out of action for Derry’s trip to Dundalk and manager Peter Hutton also has to do without the injured Patrick McEleney and Stephen Dooley.

 

The Candystripes, who come up against their former boss Stephen Kenny looking to get their first victory over the Oriel Park men in seven attempts, have not won in their last three league games.

 

With that recent form in people’s minds the Derry boss admits people outside of the squad won’t be given his side a chance tomorrow night. However he is expecting a response from his players.

 

“No one will give us a chance if you look at their last game and our last game,” Hutton explained.

 

“All the critics will be out waiting to pounce again but that’s part and parcel of the challenge and if I was a player and I was in this position I couldn’t wait; I’d be chomping at the bit to get at Dundalk.

 

“It’s massive challenge but let’s take them on. It is a big challenge but it’s one we should relish and having seen them in training our players will need no motivation to take on Dundalk.”

 

During the week Cillian Morrison spoke exclusively to Extratime.ie and he took comfort from his side’s performance the last time the teams met.

 

“When we played Dundalk earlier in the season and they beat us 1-0 we thought that the least we deserved from that game was a draw,” said Morrison. “You have go out with the attitude that you want to win every game.

 

“Dundalk are flying at the minute and we are playing them away from home but if we start the game well, you never know what can happen. We hope to travel there on Friday and get something from the game.

 

-- You can hear Cillian Morrision’s interview with the Extratime.ie Sportcast in full here --

 

 

Referee: Jim McKell.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have lost just one match in their last 36 league games while Derry come into the game with just one win in their least seven league games.

 

There has just been one scoreless draw in Oriel Park when Derry have come to the Louth venue. That was back in September 1992.

 

The Lilywhites are seeking a victory to make it nine home league wins in a row for the first time since 1978-79

 

 

BETTING

Dundalk 1/4; Draw 9/2; Derry City 11/1.

 

PREDICTION

2-0 to the champions.

 

 

Dundalk

Injured: Brian Gartland.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Derry City

Injured: Ger Doherty, Patrick McEleney, Stephen Dooley.

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None.