Dundalk will be looking to move level on points with third-placed Bohemians in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division table when the sides meet at Oriel Park on Friday night.
After beating Cork City in euphoric fashion last week, the Lilywhites were brought crashing back down to earth with a bump on Monday as their six-game unbeaten run came to an end against Derry City at the Ryan McBride Brandywell.
Despite that, Stephen O’Donnell’s men remain well-positioned in a very congested table. Dundalk sit fourth, three points adrift of the Gypsies, and one ahead of fifth-placed Shelbourne and two ahead of sixth-placed St Patrick’s Athletic.
Bohs were beaten on both of their visits to Oriel Park last season and have won just once on the Carrick Road since 2017. That victory came back in the 2021 campaign when former Dundalk striker Georgie Kelly scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.
The last meeting between the two sides came at Dalymount Park in February when goals from another ex-Dundalk player, Jordan Flores, and Declan McDaid put the hosts in the driving seat before Johannes Yli-Kokko pulled one back late on.
Like Dundalk, Declan Devine’s men are also looking to get back to winning ways after consecutive losses to Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.
Team News
Darragh Leahy, who went off injured against Derry City on Monday night, and Rayhaan Tulloch, who missed the game at the Brandywell, will both be assessed before kickoff. Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley, Robbie Benson, Greg Sloggett and John Mountney are all still missing.
Quotes – Stephen O’Donnell
“I think it was a fifty-fifty game in Derry on Monday. Both teams didn’t look overly threatening and the main difference was we gifted them goals, they didn’t.
“I thought we could have been better on a physicality front. We watched the game back on Wednesday amongst each other so we know where we can improve and where we need to improve.
“Bohs have had a really good start to the season and they’re very competitive, physical, very direct and play to their strengths. They have good players but it’s a game to look forward to.
“Monday’s loss was our first in seven games so we just want to get back on the horse, starting with Friday night.”
Quotes – Daniel Kelly
“It just didn’t happen for us in Derry, right from the get-go. I’ve played at the Brandywell a lot of times now and usually the atmosphere is really upbeat and loud but it was very quiet and I thought we had a chance to start well but unfortunately, it just wasn’t to be.
“All three of the goals that we gave away would not be good enough at any level, let alone at our level and that is something we need to work on. We could have been a lot better all around the park.
“The only positive we can take is that we have a quick turnaround until the game against Bohemians on Friday and we can go and rectify it.”
Match Officials
Referee: Neil Doyle
Assistants: Wayne McDonnell and Darren Carey
Fourth Official: Marc Lynch
Match Programme
The front cover of the 24-page match programme features Wasiri Williams. It will be available before the game for just €4.
Ticket News
Stand, ground, and juvenile tickets are now available from the office at Oriel Park.
An online link for ground tickets has been sent out to supporters who previously purchased online.
A limited number of juvenile (U12) tickets will be available for the game. After this point, tickets will only be available in the higher-priced categories.
To gain entry to Oriel Park, all juveniles must have a ticket and be accompanied by at least one adult. Dundalk FC reserves the right to refuse admission to any unaccompanied juveniles. Any adult entering the stadium using a juvenile ticket will be ejected from the ground without a refund.
Match Sponsors
We would like to say a huge word of thanks to the German Salami Company who have kindly sponsored the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division game with Bohemians at Oriel Park.
Based on the Avenue and Coe’s Road in Dundalk, German Salami Company is a family-owned Irish business with over 50 years of experience in the food industry.
The company’s main products are ready-to-eat wood-smoked meat products such as frankfurters, hotdogs, pepperoni and cooked ham products. The range is complemented with slow-cooked pork, beef and bacon.
Managing director Uwe Albrecht was a former director of Dundalk FC in the 1980s and the company has supported the club since then.
For more information on German Salami, visit the website www.germansalami.ie
Refreshments, Food & Drink
The Lilywhite Lounge and Enda McGuill Suite will be open from 5.30pm on Friday. Cash only in both bars. Hot food will be available from our Match Day Food Partners, Mullens. Coffee, tea and hot beverages will also be available from our Coffee Partners, The Brew Crew, in the ground and from the Enda McGuill Suite.
How Can I Follow The Game?
There will be pre-match, in-game and post-match updates across all of the club’s official social media channels – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The match will be streamed live on LOITV for just €7 with Adrian Taaffe and former Dundalk FC striker Ciaran Kilduff providing the commentary.
