League Preview: St Patrick’s Athletic -v- Dundalk

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ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The live game on Virgin Media 2 this week sees St Pats return to Inchicore for their first home game since mid-August as they welcome Dundalk to Richmond Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Pats are fresh from a hard-fought away win against Finn Harps which confirmed their place in the FAI Cup semi-final. A Chris Forrester's penalty and a late Tommy Lonergan strike saw them claim a 2-1 victory in Ballybofey.

Saints boss Jon Daly has spoken of the importance of his side refocusing on Friday’s task "There is loads of football to be played but being brutally honest, I'm not looking beyond Dundalk.

“We watched the FAI Cup draw and then that was it, we put it to bed, and focus is now fully on Dundalk.

“We're trying to prepare properly for that and give ourselves the best possible chance of getting three points.”

Despite losing their last league game 2-1 to Shelbourne, Pats were unbeaten in the previous 7 and are in the driving seat to claim the third automatic European place.

DUNDALK

There will be no love lost as Stephen O’Donnell brings Dundalk to meet his former side this Friday.

Unlike Pats, the Co. Louth men went crashing out of the FAI Cup at the hands of First Division leaders Galway United last week.



O’Donnell labeled the 4-0 defeat as ‘embarrassing’ and is calling for reaction in Richmond Park

“We deserve every bit of stick that has come our way after last Friday,” he said. “It was fully justified, and we must take it on the chin.

“You’ve got to reflect and you’ve got to speak about what happened. We went through it and even though it’s blatantly obvious, we made it known that it’s unacceptable.

“Then you have got to flip it and say ‘Right, what’s our reaction? What’s our response?’ We’re playing St Pat’s on Friday, Cork on Monday and Drogheda next Friday so what’s it going to be for the last seven games?”

The Lilywhites are currently seven points behind the Saints who are third and you feel they must win on Friday to give themselves any chance of securing European football next year.

Referee: Damien MacGraith



 

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have one just one of the past five meetings between the sides in the league. A 5-0 hammering in March this year.

The last time the clubs met it was in June, as the sides played out a 1-1 draw at Oriel Park. The goals coming from Conor Carty and Daniel Kelly.

In the Premier League in 2023 St Pats have the joint highest goals scored per match, with 1.8.

Dundalk have had the most penalties awarded this season, with 6 in total.

 

PREDICTION

St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Dundalk

 

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Tom Grivosti,

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Jay McGrath

 

Dundalk

Injured: Louie Annesley, Andy Boyle

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

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