FAI Cup Preview: Dundalk - V - Crumlin United

• Caoimhin Reilly
• Mon, Aug 29 2016




DUNDALK FC

Defending FAI Cup champions Dundalk FC will put their title on the line once more when they welcome non-league, Crumlin United to Oriel Park for the third-round of the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup on Tuesday night.

 

The Lilywhites secured their tenth national cup triumph last November, when they defeated Cork City after extra-time in the Aviva Stadium with Dundalk legend Richie Towell the goal scorer.

 

Dundalk accounted for Shelbourne, 2-0 in the last round, a game which was also played at their Carrick Road home. Daryl Horgan and Ciaran Kilduff were on the score sheet on that occasion, however, neither are likely to repeat their exploits from the second-round tie with Horgan serving the final match of his suspension tomorrow night, as a consequence of his dismissal in their recent defeat to Bray Wanderers.

 

 Meanwhile, Ciaran Kilduff is expected to again miss the match following a knee injury that he sustained prior to the second-leg with Legia Warsaw.

 

The 2015 double-winners are hot red favourites for tomorrow evening’s match against last season’s Leinster Senior League winners, and even with manager Stephen Kenny likely to rest established stars ahead of Friday night’s trip to Dalymount Park, his talented youngsters are still likely to have too much for the South-Dubliners.

 

The Dundalk born O’Connor brothers, Ciaran and Michael have impressed when given the chance this season. Ciaran scored twice in their recent victory over an Everton XI, while Kenny showed his faith in the younger sibling, Michael, by bringing him on as a substitute in Warsaw last week.

 

U19’s ‘skipper George Poynton is another to have featured sporadically in the first-team this season, along with another classy local, 18-year-old, Anton Reilly. Both players are also in contention for places tomorrow evening, while it is expected that Shane Grimes, Gabriel Sava and Chris Shields will play alongside recent additions, Alan Keane and Dean Shiels.

 

CRUMLIN UNITED

Defending Leinster Senior League champions Crumlin United have conceded home advantage to travel to ‘The Home of Football,’ Oriel Park tomorrow night looking to rock the side that have dominated Irish domestic football for the past two-and-a-half years.

 

Crumlin, FAI Intermediate Cup holders, knocked out Premier Division opponents in the last round. Finn Harps exited the FAI Cup on home soil to the Crumlin Boys, with Greg Moorhouse’s 49^th minute goal enough to see his side advance to a meeting with the Lilywhites.

 

The 2016/17 campaign has seen Crumlin win their one and only league game thus far. That victory came on Saturday when they defeated Firhouse Clover by three goals to nil.

 

The Dubliners, like their arch-rivals, Cherry Orchard, have a rich tradition in producing gifted fledglings, the most documented being Irish record cap holder and goal scorer, Robbie Keane. Having such a reputation as a small club means that Crumlin will be warmly welcomed by Dundalk to North-County Louth tomorrow evening.

 

Even more significantly, Dundalk vice-captain Andy Boyle is a former player for the Crumlin outfit. The defender came up through the ranks with tomorrow night’s visitors before leaving to join the League of Ireland with UCD in 2008. Boyle is the only current Lilywhite to have represented Crumlin United.

 

If the part-timers head up the M1 with ambitions of winning the match, they’ll need to draw on all of the spirit that saw them secure a league and cup double last season while they’ll also need to reach a level of performance which is unique to a non-league side.

 

Referee: Robert Rogers.

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Dundalk FC are the defending FAI Cup champions, while Crumlin United are the FAI Intermediate Cup holders. Both sides also won their respective leagues last term too.

 

Dundalk last met Crumlin United in the 2012 League Cup when the Lilywhites left the Captain’s Road with a 1-0 win.

 

Meanwhile, Stephen Kenny’s men haven’t met non-league opposition at this stage since facing Malahide United in August 2012.

 

This will be the first time that Dundalk have competed against a non-league side since they played Phoenix at Oriel Park in 2013. The home side ran out comfortable winners on that occasion with Patrick Hoban (2), Kurtis Byrne and Tiarnan Mulvenna netting in a four-goal rout.

 

MATCH BETTING

Dundalk 1/6; Draw 6/1; Crumlin United 8/1.

 

MATCH PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 4-0 Crumlin United.

 

Dundalk FC

Injured: Ciaran Kilduff (knee) & Dane Massey (concussion).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Daryl Horgan.

 

Crumlin United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.