LSC Preview: Dundalk -v- Thomastown

• Graham Russell
• Mon, May 15 2017




Dundalk play their second game in three days as they welcome Kilkenny club Thomastown United to Oriel Park for a Leinster Senior Cup Quarter Final clash. (Kick-off 7:45 PM)

DUNDALK FC

Dundalk returned to winning ways on Friday evening as they defeated Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park. All goals arrived in the second half as the superb Jamie McGrath netted a hat-trick and Niclas Vemmelund also got on the scoresheet to round off the scoring at 4-0 on the night.

 

The last game and only match they’ve had in this competition was in February when they were 4-2 winners over St. Patrick’s CY in Ringsend.

 

Ciaran Kilduff struck a brace in Dublin 4 with Patrick McEleney and Carlton Ubaezuono also finding the net which meant the club qualified for today’s Quarter Final.

 

This is Dundalk’s first match against Thomastown United and indeed their first contest against Kilkenny opposition since facing the now defunct Kilkenny City in the first division in 2007.

 

Stephen Kinsella and Brian Gartland remain sidelined with hamstring and nerve problems respectively.

 

Manager Stephen Kenny is likely to rotate the squad with the returning Sean Gannon and Shane Grimes in line to make their competitive returns on the night with some of the club’s youth players.

 

Kick-off at Oriel Park is 7:45 PM.

 

THOMASTOWN UNITED FC

Thomastown come into this game having already beaten Premier Division opposition in the shape of Shamrock Rovers, winning the game 1-0 in the last round.

 

It was a day to remember for the Kilkenny club as they roared their way into the Quarter Final of the Leinster Senior Cup with a win over a footballing Goliath, to ensure that they are the sole representation of amateur football left in the competition.

 

Stephen Connolly was the man of the moment, firing home an injury-time winner that saw United Park erupt in ecstasy and send the mighty Hoops packing.

 

Thomastown United A.F.C. play in the Kilkenny & District League and are affiliated to the Football Association of Ireland.

 

An amateur club with a membership of 300 adults and children, they have two junior teams, an over 35 team, a youths team, a ladies team and schoolboys and schoolgirls teams in all age groups. 

 

In the Leinster Senior Cup First Round this season, they beat Tallaght City 8-2. The Second Round saw a 4-2 win away to Wicklow Town.

 

In Round 3, they beat VEC FC by a goal to nil which meant in Round 4 they faced Navan Cosmos.

 

They were fortunate enough to get past them on penalties, drawing 1-1 AET. The above mentioned Shamrock Rovers win followed in Round 5, so the three-in-a-row champions await in Round 6.

 

The fans will hope for another scalp in this competition when lining up against Dundalk tonight.

 

The Town are under no illusions that tonight will be really tough but they will be safe in the knowledge that football can be a funny oul game where stranger things have happened.

 

Referee: Unknown

 

MATCH FACTS

Both sides have never met each other competitively.

 

Dundalk have lost 5 games already in their league campaign; they were defeated 6 times in the entirety of last season.

 

Dundalk's last five in all competitions: WLWLW

 

Thomastown's last five in all competitions: WWWLL

 

Dundalk have won this competition eight times, most recently in 2014.

 

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 3-1 Thomastown United FC

 

BETTING

Dundalk 1/8; Draw 11/2; Thomastown 12/1

 

Dundalk FC

Injured: Brian Gartland (Nerves), Stephen Kinsella (Hamstring)

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: Unknown

 

Thomastown FC

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None