Preview: Dundalk vs Longford Town
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Title favourites Dundalk will be looking to keep the pressure on Shelbourne at the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division table this Tuesday evening, when they entertain Longford Town in a league fixture at Oriel Park (kick-off 7.45pm) for the first time in over six years. The Lilywhites were knocked off their perch at the summit by Shelbourne on Friday night, after the Reds took full advantage of Dundalk’s annual struggle in Gortakeegan.
The Oriel Park outfit were unable to find a way past their local rivals, Monaghan, in a 0-0 draw, and, as a result, fell behind Shels on goal difference. With the Mons now travelling to Tolka Park at the same time as Longford visit Dundalk, it is unlikely that the leading order will be altered by the end of play on Tuesday. However, in his programme notes for the game, manager John Gill says he will be more than pleased with that outcome.
“It’s imperative that we get back to winning ways, and keep pace at the top of the table. With this match comes the end of the first third of the season, and if we finish the night where we started it, I’ll be happy with that, and I would have taken it at the start of the year,” he wrote.
Dundalk Team News: John Gill is able to welcome back his regular central midfield pairing of David Cassidy and Paul Shiels, after the duo missed the weekend draw in Monaghan through suspension. Striker Robbie Martin, who entered as a last minute substitute on Friday after missing the previous four games, should now be able to play a bigger part against his ex-club. Meanwhile, right-back John Flanagan trained on Sunday morning after going for a scan on an ankle injury on Friday evening, however, it is not yet known if he will make a return to the team-sheet here.
