League Preview: Dundalk -v- Limerick

Both managers will be coming into this game expecting more from their charges than what was served up in their respective league openers. Dundalk went down 4-1 to their bitter rivals Drogheda United, while Limerick played out a 0-0 draw in Bray. Kick-off at Oriel Park is at 7.45pm.

DUNDALK

Stephen Kenny has reason to be encouraged by his side’s hard-fought win against a dogged Coleraine side on Monday night, progression to the Setanta Cup semi-final was sealed by a Stephen O’Donnell goal at the death and that dramatic crescendo has gone some way to banish memories of last Friday night’s horror show in Drogheda.

The Lilywhites boss is still without the services of Keith Ward as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, while local defender Simon Kelly misses out through suspension having picked up a red card during the half-time break in Drogheda on Friday night. The good news for Kenny is that Brian Gartland has recovered from an ankle injury and could re-form his central defensive partnership with Andy Boyle which was central to the Louth side’s impressive season in 2013.

Ahead of the game, Kenny told Dundalkfc.com that while still disappointed by their performance in Drogheda, Monday night’s win has lifted the spirits of his players and they are looking to hit the ground running against Limerick: “It was a disappointing result for us last week in the opening league game but we responded brilliantly in Coleraine to get the result and come back to win the tie overall. It has given us a great boost going into Friday night and we know how difficult opponents Limerick will be but we have prepared well and are looking forward to it. Our home form in the second and third series of games last season was fantastic so we’re looking to continue that this year.”

LIMERICK

Limerick boss Stuart Taylor says his team are still hurting from Monday night’s 4-0 defeat against local rivals Cork City at Turner’s Cross and has challenged his players to “stand up and be counted” ahead of their trip north on Friday evening.

Taylor travels to Oriel Park missing a number of key players in the form of Shane Duggan and Robbie Williams but new signings Ali Abass and midfielder Prince Agyemang, who have joined from the ‘Right to Dream’ Academy in Ghana, should be available for selection although it may be too soon to throw the new arrivals in at the deep end as Taylor explained: “Everything is changed for them coming over here and that’s something you have to look at when you’re bringing players in from another country.
 

“You’ve got their eating habits where food is totally different, their sleeping patterns which is probably the easier end of things, and they’re now living on another side of the world where they’re a long way from their families. But we’ve got a good dressing-room and they will adapt to it no problem.
 

“Certainly the football is totally different and it will be a culture shock for them. As a management team, that’s something that we’ve got to educate and we’ve got to give them as much information as possible.”

On the game itself, Taylor is confident of his side’s chances and points to his side’s recent record at Oriel Park: “We had good results against Dundalk last year in the league and certainly good performances. We have to carry that on to this season.
 

“It’s a very difficult place to go when you have your strongest XI but we’re not going to make any excuses. We’re going to take each game as it comes and this is what we’ve got in front of us.”

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Limerick are unbeaten at Oriel Park since November 2006 when a wonderful Trevor Vaughan strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Dundalk.

There hasn’t been a scoreless draw in the Premier Division between the sides since November 1993.

It has been nearly 21 years since Dundalk have beaten Limerick in the Premier Division – March 1994.

BETTING

Dundalk 8/13; Draw 13/5; Limerick 9/2.

PREDICTION

Limerick are missing two key players in Shane Duggan and the wonderfully named Robbie Williams. Without him they could come undone. Last time out, Limerick didn’t have the greatest day but they will be hoping to shine at Oriel Park. Dundalk’s win in Coleraine could relight their fire. 1-0 Dundalk – they’d take that!

Dundalk Injury News: Keith Ward (knee).
Dundalk Suspension News: Simon Kelly .

Limerick Injury News: Robbie Williams (hamstring)
Dundalk Suspension News: Shane Duggan.