Dundalk -v- Drogheda United

• Emmet Maloney
• Sun, Mar 14 2010


The RTE cameras will be beaming the Louth derby live to the nation from Oriel Park on mothering Sunday. Dundalk will be looking to build on their fortuitous opening night 1-0 win at Bray while Drogheda will be desperate to get their season up and running after crashing 0-3 to UCD in their opening fixture.

Happy days at Oriel
Things are going perfectly for Ian Foster as an unbeaten pre season campaign was followed with an opening day Lilywhite win for the first time in 14 years. It’s all good news at Oriel Park as the last hurdle to their taking part in the Europa Cup has been removed, with Foster being accepted on to the FIFA Pro licence course. Dundalk have a near full strength squad to select from with only the injured Tiarnan Mulvenna absent. Liam Burns has recovered from the blow to the head that forced his withdrawal at the Carlisle Grounds last Friday and will be available for selection. Sam Malsom has of course returned to Britain following the unfortunate registration problems that prevented him signing for the Lilywhites. This will leave Dundalk short of numbers up front and Foster is trying hard to find a suitable replacement.

Drogheda selection shake up
Despite their sponsorship deal all things are not hunky dory at Drogheda. Alan Matthews has selection problems to face up to prior to the game. Changes will have to be made as both Paul Crowley and Eric McGill are suspended for the clash as a result of misdemeanours last season. He may also be tempted to shake things up as a result of the torrid night that the UCD strike force gave his backline last week. Matthews will be hoping to continue his run of decent results against an Ian Foster team after notching two wins and a draw against his Galway United boys last season.

Short odds favourites
The bookies have Dundalk as hot favourites for this game and history would seem to back up their viewpoint. It is nearly 12 years since Drogheda last won this fixture and you have to go back to 25/09/09 for their last victory on the road. Form and momentum would seem to indicate that the Boynesiders may have to go on waiting to claim the local bragging rights.

Venue: Oriel Park

Referee: D Hancock

Paddypower.com Odds: Dundalk: 1-2 Draw: 12/5 Drogheda: 11/2

Dundalk
Injured: Tiarnan Mulvenna
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None

Drogheda United
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Paul Crowley& Eric McGill

Extratime.ie Prediction: 2-1 home win.