Derry City -v- Dundalk

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Apr 07 2011


Dundalk will hope that some of their Setanta Cup form travels north with them to the Brandywell on Friday night as they take on Stephen Kenny’s Derry City in the Airtricity Premier Division. (KIck off, 7.35pm - Live on RTE 2)

Dundalk have enjoyed a swashbuckling start to 2011, eliminating Linfield and Glentoran from the Setanta Cup and beating Cliftonville 3-1 at Solitude in the first leg of the semi-final. Apart from exciting the imaginations of the supporters, the club’s cup exploits have also allowed the side to gel in a competitive atmosphere and, with Jason Byrne and Mark Quigley quickly settling into goal-scoring form, Ian Foster will surely be optimistic for the coming season.

The Lilywhite’s league form has been less formidable, however, having lost both of their away games to date; at league leaders Shamrock Rovers on the opening weekend and by the odd goal in five to St Patrick’s Athletic a fortnight ago, despite having lead 2-0.

Ian Foster’s men did manage to collect full points against Galway and UCD while a scoreless draw with Bohemians makes up the patchwork quilt of their five league results so far.

One thing that appears almost certain is that Dundalk will, at some point, score at the Brandywell. In fact they have been held scoreless in only two of their eleven competitive games this year and have scored twenty goals along the way. This is down, in no small way, to the rejuvenation of striker Mark Quigley. Along with team mate Daniel Kearns Quigley has offered up some of the new season’s most exciting performances and, with Jason Byrne and Ross Gaynor also in rude health, Derry City’s biggest task would appear to be a defensive one.

In that respect Derry will be buoyed by the fact that they denied Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago, holding the champions to a scoreless draw at the Brandywell. They also shut out struggling UCD at the Belfield Bowl but conceding twice away to Drogheda poses some questions about their defensive fortitude.

Still, eight points from the opening five games sees them sitting a point above Dundalk in the table and Stephen Kenny’s men have not been beaten since the opening weekend when a late goal from Aaron Greene saw them go down to Sligo Rovers.

Promising signs for the Candystripes include a goal-scoring return from a hip injury by wunderkid James McClean last week against Bray and the return from suspension of Pat McEleney. However they will have to continue without midfield anchor Barry Molloy.

All things considered it is likely to be a close contest between two sides that plainly have the potential to be at the business end of the league come next October. Dundalk perhaps look to be the more warmed up of the two but with a passionate home crowd behind them Derry City will consider three points a realistic ambition.

Derry City
Injured: Barry Molloy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Dundalk
Injured: Greg Bolger (thigh), Eoghan Osborne (broken leg), Stephen Maher (groin).
Doubtful: Dean Bennett (hamstring).
Suspended: None.

Referee: Damien Hancock.
Paddy Power Odds: Derry City 11/10 - Draw 9/4 - Dundalk 23/10.
Extratime prediction: A 2-2 draw.