19.45 6 Mar 2015 -
Referee: Neil Doyle
League Preview: Dundalk -v- Longford Town
- Tom Clancy
- Fri, Mar 06 2015
DUNDALK
The Champions do battle at Oriel Park on Friday night, as First Division winners Longford Town face Dundalk who are the side to beat following their title success on the final day of last season.
Manager Stephen Kenny begins his third season at the helm. He will have a near-full squad to choose from. Stephen O’Donnell is sidelined with his knee cartilage issue while Darren Meenan carries a suspension which makes his off-season even longer, though he did feature against St. Patrick’s Athletic, as the Lilywhites claimed the Presidents Cup.
Speaking with Dundalkfc.com, the influential Richie Towell expects a tough test from Tony Cousin’s men; “I think with the squad Longford Town have assembled they’ll be top 6 definitely. They have a really good squad there and have strengthened with real quality all across the park so it’s going to be a really tough game and you seen it last year with how well they can play
“We aren’t going to be complacent at all. We are confident in ourselves and are unbeaten but we’re ready and looking forward to the game. We just need to keep it going.
Dundalk’s impressive home form over the last two season, is reflected in their short odds and it would be brave to back against Stephen Kenny’s men from opening the 2015 season with three points.
LONGFORD TOWN
A return to the top should see those in red and black stroll up to Oriel Park with confidence, though Tony Cousins side would have liked a better opening fixture, he’ll be aware that Dundalk were thumped 4-1 on opening night 12 months ago, by Drogheda United.
Forty-two goals in just fifty-six First Division games means that Longford striker David O’Sullivan will be watched tightly on the synthetic surface in Oriel Park. Dave Mooney was the main front-man when the midlanders last did battle in the top-flight but that was 2007, a year in which his 19 goals weren’t enough as the Town went down. Much has changed at the City Calling Stadium since.
Tony Cousins who also managed Galway United to promotion, lasted just over a year in the Premier competition of Irish football, before being dismissed by the Tribesmen. He will have close to a full squad to choose from, with Jamie Mulhall expected to be the only absentee.
Interestingly, Longford haven’t lost any of their last 5 Premier Division games, though their 3-1 win over Derry City in 2007 is a distant memory. The damage which lead to their relegation was done in the first half of the season, with fantastic form in the second-half not enough to prevent the drop.
Cousins can hand debuts to Martin Deady, Conor Powell, and Mark Rossiter.
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)
MATCH STATS
The last League meeting between the sides came in October 2008, where Longford won 2-1 against the eventual First Division winners.
Dundalk are unbeaten in their last 17 home League games.
Richie Towell played all but 20 minutes of last season’s League winning campaign.
BETTING
Dundalk 2/5; Draw 7/2; Longford Town 13/2
PREDICTION
Dundalk 3-1 Longford Town
Dundalk
Injured: Stephen O’Donnell (knee), Dane Massey (broken hand)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Darren Meenan
Longford Town
Injured: Jamie Mulhall
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
About Tom Clancy
Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the …