League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Dundalk

Patrick McEleney of Dundalk controls the ball in last week's President's Cup.

Patrick McEleney of Dundalk controls the ball in last week's President's Cup. Credit: Peter Fitzpatrick (ETPhotos)

Sligo Rovers

The Bit O’Red kick off the new season with the arrival of FAI Cup holders Dundalk. Both teams have underwent significant changes in the off-season, but Sligo fans will be hoping that the hoodoo they seemed to hold over Dundalk last season, will continue.

Sligo enjoyed two victories over the Lilywhites in the eighteen-game season. Six new arrivals bolster north-west side, including former Shamrock Rovers midfielder Greg Bolger and the returning Jamaican striker Romero Parkes.

These acquisitions have led to murmurings that Sligo might challenge for silverware this term. They have been back-to-back semi-finalists in recent years and Liam Buckley has been assembling a competitive bunch.

Speaking ahead of the game, manager Liam Buckley felt that the new players were bedding in well. He also spoke of European ambitions, while acknowledging there would be lots of competition for a Euro spot:

“We have a number of new players and a lot of the younger players are progressing as well, so there are some changes. It is important we gel together as soon as we can. We’ve done a lot of work in the last number of weeks to be as ready as we can for Saturday night and for the entire season to come.

“I’m looking at the teams in league and I know it’s going to be as competitive as ever. There are lots of clubs targeting European places or more. We’re not under any illusions here of the task at hand to match or improve on last year, but that is what we want. We want to be the best we can be and see where it can take us.”

Buckley has said he expects a competitive game against Dundalk.

“People say Dundalk are transitioning but nearly every club in the league has made a lot of new signings. They’ve brought in a lot of proven quality as well as full internationals. It’s going to be a real battle and we have to be up for that because of the quality Dundalk have.

“It is behind closed doors but I do expect a real intensity to the game. We know we have the support of everyone watching on from home and we’re going to give it our all on Saturday and this season.”



 

Dundalk FC

Dundalk finished last season on a high, emerging victorious in the FAI Cup final. That, and qualifications to the Europa League Group Stages was a welcome distraction from somewhat of a faltering domestic campaign.

The arrival of Filippo Giovagnoli seemed to kick-start their European and Cup runs, but ahead of this game, Shane Keegan has since assumed the role of manager, due to him possessing the necessary managerial licenses.

After a season where they finished third in the league, Dundalk have had a plethora of well documented changes. There are a lot of questions hovering over Dundalk’s new squad which includes a number of international arrivals; will they gel quick enough to make an impact? And of course; are they good enough to improve on last year?

While the win in the President’s Cup might have appeased some doubters, only league form can put paid to the speculation. There will be lots of antenna’s tuned to the Showgrounds tonight.



Striker Patrick Hoban noted ahead of the game:

“Every night we go down there it is a tough game for us. I can never remember coming out of a game against Sligo, especially down in the Showgrounds thinking it was easy. So we know we have our work cut out for us…I think they are better than last year going by personnel… but I’m really looking forward to getting going."

New arrival, Sam Stanton, speaking to DundalkFC.com, spoke of a good feeling in the camp and commented on his team’s preparations thus far.

“We’re still a new team and there is definitely a lot of stuff that we can work on, but it’s an exciting group to be with and play with.

I think we’ve shown already that fitness levels are pretty good. We want to make a good start, we’re raring to go and hopefully we can get the three points.”

This game has a 6pm KO and we will have live updates here on Extratime.com from the Showgrounds.

Referee: Neil Doyle

 

MATCH STATS

Sligo defeated Dundalk in their two outings last season. A 5-1 aggregate win across the games in Oriel and the Showgrounds.

In their last ten meetings, Dundalk have had the upper hand; winning six times. There was one draw.

 

BETTING

Home 2/1 ; Draw 2/1 ; Away 1/1 .

PREDICTION

Sligo Rovers 1 – 2 Dundalk FC

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Daniel Kelly, Michael Duffy, Sean Murray.

Doubtful: Brian Gartland

Suspended: None

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