League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Dundalk

• Patrick O'Connor
• Thu, Jul 07 2022




DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United’s purple patch of five games unbeaten came to an end at Richmond Park last weekend when they fell to a 3-0 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic.

They had been in excellent form prior to the Saints game having drawn three and won two of their games, with a home win against league leaders Shamrock Rovers being the most notable achievement along the way.

Although still down in eighth position in the table despite their recent good form, they have managed to build a ten point gap between themselves and the ninth placed team Finn Harps (12 points) and a 13 point gap to bottom of the table UCD (9 points).

The Boynesiders were competing well in the game at Richmond Park despite falling behind 1-0 to a Billy King goal just before the break, however later goals in the 86^th and 92^nd minute detracted from their overall efforts and they will be looking to make amends quickly when their neighbours from Dundalk arrive for the next instalment of the Louth derby this Friday night.

Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty, who has a busy week attending his UEFA Pro Licence course, will know that he has his work cut out for him trying to bridge the 19-point gap that exists between the two Louth rivals.

He will take heart however from both the performance and the result that they delivered against Dundalk back in March when they picked up all three points.

DUNDALK

Dundalk are certainly the form team in the Premier Division at the moment as they have gone ten games without defeat since losing 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers back in mid-April.

They have been able to pick up three points away from home as well as at Oriel Park, with a win away at Derry City in May being one of their more impressive performances.

They are a full ten points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers but with two games in hand, the game against Drogheda being one of those catch-up fixtures.

They will be well aware of the fact that Rovers have European football on their agenda also, something the Lilywhites do not have this season, and will be looking to concentrate fully on closing the gap to the top of the table with these games in hand.

Dundalk Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell is pleased with the application of his players and feels that they are well prepared to face Kevin Doherty’s charges on Friday night

“We have had a good training week. We are unbeaten in the last ten – eight wins and two draws. We have only lost two of our twenty-one matches which is great form for any team,” he told the press earlier this week.

“We have been hard to beat and have been in brilliant form the past few months and that is something we want to continue.

“One of those losses has been in Drogheda so we don’t need any reminder of how difficult it will be going there.”

The Head Coach is warning against complacency though and is looking forward to what will be a difficult clash.

“We have beaten Drogheda at Oriel so we are looking forward to the game. We know that it is going to be a difficult one for us, but we have prepared well.

“The lads are all in good spirits and have been training well – like they have been since the start of the season. That’s all you can ask for.

“We will give our best tomorrow and see where it takes us.”

Referee: Neil Doyle

MATCH STATS

This is the 170^th Louth derby between Drogheda United and Dundalk.

A draw is the least likely outcome from this game on Friday night as there has been none in the last eight meetings between the two sides.

Dundalk certainly have had the upper hand in recent years, winning six of those last eight encounters, although the honours are even in the 2022 season with one win apiece.

Dean Williams scored Drogheda’s goal in a 1-0 win at home in March however Ryan Brennan’s goal for them in the return fixture in April was not enough as Dundalk struck four times to record a 4-1 win.

Darragh Leahy (2), Pat Hoban and John Martin scored Dundalk’s goals in that last game.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 1-2 Dundalk

Drogheda United

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Dundalk

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None