Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

• Emmet Maloney
• Sun, Aug 07 2011


Dundalk will be seeking to capitalise on any hangover that Sligo Rovers have from their European exit in midweek when they face up to each other at Oriel Park (kick-off 5pm).

So far this season the games between these teams have been close run affairs with a 1-1 draw at Oriel and a 1-0 win for the Bit O Red at the Showgrounds.

Sligo travel in a rich vein of league form with a ten game unbeaten run behind them, however their midweek exertions and a defensive reshuffle required through the loss of Alan Keane with a knee injury and the suspension of Jason McGuinness may give the Lilywhites a window of opportunity. A win will of course see the Bit O Red return to the league summit after they were supplanted by Derry City and Shamrock Rovers.

Paul Cook gave his thoughts on the game to the club website “Dundalk is a very hard place to go to. The teams know each other quite well and the games are always tight.”

Dundalk have had a rocky patch at Oriel with three wins and three defeats in the last six games at home. Before that of course they had been on a long unbeaten run and they will be hoping that their recent 2-0 victory over UCD will herald a return to fortress Oriel.

A victory for the home team will see them climb to fifth place and get within three points of St Pats. Ian Foster will have to plan without long term absentees Eoghan Osborne & Stephen McDonnell, Colin Hawkins will also be absent after succumbing to a hamstring injury. They will have Danny Kearns and Jason Byrne available and will be hoping that Byrne can repeat his feat of scoring against Sligo again.

Dundalk
Injured: Eoghan Osbourne (fractured tibia), Stephen McDonnell (knee), Colin Hawkins (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: Alan Keane.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Jason McGuinness.

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Paddy Power Odds: Dundalk 9/4, draw 11/5, Sligo 6/5.

Extratime prediction: 1-1.