Dundalk vs St Pats

Having taken over the mantle of top dog in Co Louth following their 1-0 win over Drogheda United, fourth place Dundalk will now try to make up ground on leaders St Patrick’s Athletic whom they trail by nine points despite being one of only two teams to defeat the Saints in the league this season.

 Dundalk have not beaten St Pat’s in almost 15 years at Oriel Park and the Saints have won on each of their last seven visits.

A win at Oriel Park on Friday night will move Stephen Kenny’s side  6 off Pats, with a game in hand.Lilywhites' dream of a title challenge would not be out of the question if they can pick up the 3 points tonight

Speaking to Extratime.ie Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny is very happy with the way his team are performing at the moment and sees no reason why they cannot halt Pat’s unbeaten run.

“The players have responded brilliantly in the past few weeks with away wins to Sligo Rovers, Drogheda on Monday and the Cup win against Phoenix was excellent too. We have been on a good run and have played some good football,” said the man in charge in the north east.~



The Saints go marching on. 5 games since they last let in a goal and conceding only twice in their last 8 games, the Inchicore side are on a high.

Manager Liam Buckley expects a difficult game against  but is also expecting his side, to come out on top.

Speaking to the clubs official site, Buckley said: “Dundalk are a bit like us last year in that Stephen [Kenny] has put a good squad together, they’re playing well together and enjoying some good results at the moment.
 
Dundalk will be without the suspended Stephen O’Donnell and John Mountney. Eoghan Osborne (infection) is struggling but Darren Meenan and John Sullivan are available after serving bans.  Pat’s have John Russell back from an ankle injury.