PREVIEW: DUNDALK FC V ST PAT’S ATHLETIC
Dundalk FC will be aiming to end an eight-week winless streak when they face St Patrick’s Athletic in a rearranged SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division clash at Oriel Park on Thursday night (kick-off 7.45pm). This match was originally scheduled for last Sunday but was postponed by the FAI to support St Pat’s in their failed bid to qualify for the UEFA Conference League group stage.
After a three-week break, Dundalk returned to action with a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to title contenders Shelbourne last Friday. Aiden O’Brien’s early goal for Shelbourne, coupled with Dundalk’s struggle to find the net, extended the Lilywhites’ poor run, with just one win in their last eight matches across all competitions.
Despite Dundalk’s recent struggles, Jon Daly’s side showed signs of improvement in the second half against Shelbourne, with substitute Ryan O’Kane hitting the post. Dundalk’s form at Oriel Park has dipped, losing three of their last four home games after setting a club record earlier in the season for consecutive clean sheets with eight.
Scoring has been a major issue for Dundalk, with just 19 goals in 28 league games and only four goals in 14 home matches. However, they could be bolstered by the return of Jad Hakiki, who scored in their last victory against Drogheda United and is available for selection after missing the Shelbourne match due to transfer terms.
Thursday’s game offers Dundalk a crucial opportunity to leapfrog Drogheda United at the bottom of the table, with this being their game in hand. Dundalk trail their local rivals by just one point, and a win would move them out of the automatic relegation zone.
St Patrick’s Athletic, currently seventh in the league, are also struggling on the road, having not won an away game in the top flight since February. Their form at Richmond Park has kept them in the race for European qualification, but they will be looking to break their away drought on Thursday night.
Jon Daly remains optimistic about his team’s chances, despite the recent setbacks. “We’ve got to deliver that for 95 minutes plus,” Daly said. “I still believe that we can win eight games. We haven’t won two games back to back all season but I still think we can.”
Dundalk defender Andy Boyle echoed his manager’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a strong, consistent performance. “There’s big belief that we can get out of the position we’re in, but we’ve got to put in a 90-minute performance to get a positive result. We’re aiming for three points,” Boyle said.
With just eight games remaining in the season, Dundalk knows that every point is crucial as they battle to avoid relegation. The first step in that battle begins on Thursday night against St Pat’s.
Match Officials
• Referee: Damien MacGraith
• Assistants: Wayne McDonnell and Conor Harkin
• Fourth Official: Oliver Moran
Kick-off at Oriel Park is at 7.45pm.