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

• Seán O'Connor
• Fri, May 28 2021




ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints will be looking to enter the mid-season break with a win when they host struggling Dundalk on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

Pat’s have dropped off in recent week, after a strong start, and have won one in their last five, courtesy of a last-minute Robbie Benson penalty versus Bohemians last week.

Stephen O’Donnell had hoped that the Dublin derby win would get the Saints back on track when they travelled to Derry 3 days later.

However they required Billy King’s 84^th-minute header to rescue a point, having seen a first-half lead turned around, as they remained in third.

Lee Desmond had put the Athletic in front but goals from Ronan Boyce and Joe Thomson saw the tie turned on its head before King headed home Ben McCormacks’ cross late on.

Ahead of Friday, O’Donnell told the club’s media team that, although Dundalk have endured a rough start to 2021, the quality of Jim Magilton’s side should not be underestimated.

“A lot of the games are fine margins, but we saw what they are capable of last Friday when they ended Shamrock Rovers’ unbeaten run and that’s what you judge them off,” he said.

“Their result on Monday does not change how we approach the game and I think it’s going to be a very tough game.

“They are a wounded animal at the moment and there are a lot of players there with a lot of success under their belt and we are definitely expecting a reaction.”

Jay McClelland and Darragh Burns are in contention after recovering from injury, while Jamie Lennon is back from suspension, but Cian Kelly remains out.

DUNDALK

Dundalk come into Friday’s game off the back of a humiliating 5-1 loss against Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Monday evening.

The Lilywhites found themselves 2-0 down inside the opening 10 minutes and lacked quality and belief throughout.

Jim Magilton’s side had shocked Shamrock Rovers 3 days before, winning 2-1 and bringing Rovers’ 33-game unbeaten run in the league to an end.

Greg Sloggett pulled a goal back late on for the Lilywhites, but the damage was already done following ex-Dundalk man Georgie Kelly’s hat trick.

The loss of captain Brian Gartland, coupled with the departures of Shane Keegan and Fillipo Giovagnoli has rocked Dundalk, amid fan protests over the clubs American ownership.

Dundalk are currently in seventh place, and find themselves 11 points behind the Saints after 13 games.

 

Magilton was scathing of his side following Monday’s embarrassment, telling the media: “we need a clear-out.

“This place needs a ridding, we had a lesson on the basics of the game and that's not acceptable.”

He added: “It’s not easy to take because are they a reflection of me and my character? I’d like to think not.

“They say the teams reflects the managers – but if that’s me then I’m in a f*cking dark place.

Ahead of Friday, Magilton told Dundalk’s media team: “credit where credit’s due, the players have come in, licking their wounds of course, and training's been really spot on.

“They’re positive and we’ve got to go and present ourselves again tomorrow night against a really good side”

There is positive news on the injury front for Dundalk as Patrick Hoban returns to contention, but Ole Erik Midtskogen and Sonni Nattestad are ruled out with injury.

Defenders Brian Gartland and Daniel Cleary are also out after undergoing surgery, while Cameron Dummigan misses out following his red card on Monday.

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

The last 3 league meetings between the teams have ended in a 1-1 draw.

Ronan Coughlan, Billy King and Chris Forrester are the Saints’ top scorers so far this season, each with three.

Dundalk have kept just one clean sheet in their opening 13 league games.

BETTING

St Patrick’s Athletic 5/4; Draw 21/10: Dundalk 2/1

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 2 – 1 Dundalk

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Cian Kelly.

Doubtful: Darragh Burns, Jay McClelland

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Ole Erik Midtskogen, Brian Gartland, Sonni Nattestad, Daniel Cleary.

Doubtful: Patrick Hoban.

Suspended: Cameron Dummigan.