Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff says their Leinster Senior Cup Group B clash with Shamrock Rovers at Roadstone on Friday night (kick-off 8pm) is a “last opportunity for lads to force their way into the team” ahead of next week’s First Division opener.
Rovers have a 100 percent record in the group so far with two wins from two, but the Lilywhites’ loss to Usher Celtic last month has complicated the permutations for them progressing to the quarter-finals for the second year running.
A two-goal victory for Kilduff’s side in the capital would see them leapfrog the Hoops at the top of the table and seal their qualification, and even a one-goal win would leave them with one foot in the last eight.
However, a draw or loss and it will come down to the result of the final group fixture between Usher and Malahide United in a fortnight’s time.
25 January 2025; Leo Gaxha, Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan and Dean Ebbe after Ebbe scored during the behind-closed-doors friendly between Dundalk and Ireland Under-19s at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Dundalk are seven-times winners of the competition but have only won it once since the 1977/78 season, that success coming in 2015, with Kilduff saying it is “not a priority” for the club but that he is eyeing a win over Rovers on Friday.
“We’re looking forward to it. We’re obviously only a week out from the league starting, so it’s a last opportunity to get minutes into legs for some lads, for lads to impress and force their way into the team,” Kilduff told dundalkfc.com.
“I think we’ve had a good pre-season to date. You could see that last week with the Drogheda game. Rovers will pose a different kind of test. They’ve won their two games already in the group, it’s in Roadstone, so we’ll get a nice opportunity to play up there against a good team.
“Hopefully, we get minutes into the lads that need it and we’ll be ready in a week’s time.”
17 January 2025; Aodh Dervin of Dundalk celebrates with teammates Daryl Horgan and Eoin Kenny after scoring in the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Malahide United at Oriel Park, Co Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Asked if he expects Rovers to field their Under-20s, Kilduff said: “You’d imagine so. I think they’ve used this tournament so far for their Under-20s, but listen, they’ve got some really good depth and players in their Academy coming through.
“It’ll be a proper test, a bit like when we played the Irish Under-19s. You’re getting the best of the best, and Rovers have a really good Under-20s team there that we have to respect and give them as good a game as we can give them.
“Let’s be honest, it’s all about being ready for Athlone next week, so we’ll be taking the game accordingly and making sure that everyone is in a good place going into that.”
20 January 2025; Eoin Kenny of Dundalk celebrates after scoring during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Usher Celtic at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Rovers lead the Group B table on six points having beaten Usher Celtic 4-0 and Malahide 3-2. Dundalk and Usher have three points each, while Malahide are bottom having lost both of their matches so far.
While Rovers and Dundalk complete their group fixtures on Friday, Usher and Malahide are set to meet in two weeks after their original fixture was called off due to Storm Éowyn, meaning that whatever the outcome in Roadstone, the top two will not be known at full-time.
“It’s a game of football, you want to win the game,” Ciarán said, asked if he was concerned about qualifying for the quarter-finals.
“If that means getting through, great. If we can, we will. You’re not going to take risks is the reality of it. We do have a few lads with knocks and niggles who any other week you probably would play, but just the fact it isn’t of the utmost importance or a priority for us, you won’t take the risk.
“The 11 lads that will be out there in Dundalk jerseys will be expecting to win the game and going to win the game like we do every other week.”
11 January 2025; Luke Mulligan of Dundalk during the pre-season friendly between Shelbourne and Dundalk at the AUL Complex in Dublin. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.
Team News
Speaking on team news ahead of the match, Kilduff said: “We have a few little knocks. Dean Ebbe, it’s something minor but he’ll be fine, he’ll probably be involved in the squad. Gbemi Arubi won’t be involved.
“Seán McHale and Norman Garbett have both been training and moving well this week, we mightn’t risk them for this one but they’ll be back to do full training next week.
“We’ll have opportunities now for lads like Luke Mulligan, who had a bit of a knock in pre-season, coming back into the frame. He’ll start on Friday night and get minutes.
“We’ll be looking for these lads to impress and take their opportunities, because when you’re seven days out from the start of a league, every minute counts now. Hopefully, these lads will perform well and we’ll be able to put on a good showing.”
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