Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff is relishing “a proper test” for his team in their Jim Malone Cup clash with Drogheda United at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), in what is their final pre-season friendly of the year.

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The new-look Lilywhites have so far in January faced Shelbourne and the Ireland Under-19s in behind-closed-door friendlies and Malahide United and Usher Celtic in Leinster Senior Cup (LSC) group matches.

They had been scheduled to face Shels again this Saturday morning but that match has been called off by Reds boss Damien Duff, meaning that near neighbours Drogheda will now be their last friendly in the schedule.

This comes before facing Shamrock Rovers in the LSC at Roadstone next Friday, ahead of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division opener against Athlone Town at Oriel on Valentines Night.

2 February 2024; Eoin Kenny of Dundalk celebrates after scoring his side’s first goal during the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup / Malone Cup match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile.

In last year’s Malone Cup, young striker Eoin Kenny scored his first senior goal for Dundalk to give them a 55th-minute lead at Oriel, but Drogheda responded with a brace from Warren Davis, whose injury-time rebound from his saved penalty kept the trophy on Boyneside.

Drogheda have won the Malone Cup in each of the last three years, with Dundalk looking for a first success since 2021 when they edged a five-goal thriller in a Saturday afternoon fixture at United Park where Greg Sloggett headed the winner.

“We’re looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a proper test,” Kilduff told dundalkfc.com on Thursday evening, ahead of his first Louth Derby in the dugout.

“We’ve been waiting for this game for a while now to come around and get to the end of our pre-season games. We’ve got a lot of work already in our legs and we’re looking forward to hopefully putting on a good performance on Friday night.”

25 January 2025; Leo Gaxha, Eoin Kenny, Daryl Horgan and Dean Ebbe of Dundalk 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.

While not officially a competitive fixture, Kilduff knows the history of it and feels it will give him a good gauge on where his side is at right now.

“It’s hard to get an uncompetitive game between Dundalk and Drogheda! We might not see each other a lot this year,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a pre-season game and there’ll be no risks taken or anything like that.

“But it’s an ideal time for us to be getting a proper test now. We’re such a new entity and we’re playing a Premier Division team who have just qualified for Europe and they’re FAI Cup winners, so we’ll know exactly where we are hopefully after the game.”

21 January 2025; The Dundalk squad and staff during a Dundalk FC squad portraits session at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile.

On the vibe on the training ground this week, the 36-year-old added: “It has been really good. We’re after doing a tough month nearly of training. Pre-season is never easy and we’re nearly out the other side of it. I think lads are really looking forward to a game, as we all are.

“All the other games prior to this and the ones to come are all gearing us towards Athlone on the 14th. You can’t replicate matches and I think everyone is itching for a proper game.”

Dundalk are now just a fortnight away from their league opener at home to Kilduff’s former club Athlone, but the manager says the XI that start the Malone Cup will not necessarily be what he currently sees as his strongest team.

“Not really. We’ll be assessing current bodies and who we have,” he said, “but we’ll definitely be trying to put a strong foot forward. It’s too early between injuries and form to know for certain if this is our strongest team.

“But, of course, we’ll try to put on a strong performance in front of our own fans in a game against Drogheda.”

17 January 2025; Dundalk manager Ciarán Kilduff during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Malahide United at Oriel Park, Co Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.

Kilduff has had success in this fixture having scored both goals in Dundalk’s 2-0 win over Drogheda in the 2016 edition at United Park, and he says it is a game that can give players confidence for the year ahead.

“I do remember it, we won 2-0,” Ciarán recalled. “Eoin Kenny had said it to me just a few weeks ago as well when I was chatting to him, he got his first senior goal in this fixture last year. You can breed confidence from these games.

“I started that season particularly well for goals, scoring two in that game. Obviously, it’s not ultra-competitive in terms of result, but it’s also more than a friendly. You can kick-start your season with a good performance, as I did that year.

“Obviously, we know 2016, not just for me but for the entire club, turned out to be a very special year. I look back on that fondly, but hopefully some other lads can make their memories tomorrow.”

17 January 2025; Seán McHale of Dundalk in action during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Malahide United at Oriel Park, Co Louth. Photo by Gerry Scully/Dundalk FC.

Team News
Defender Seán McHale (heel) will not be risked, while Norman Garbett (hamstring) continues his recovery from a long-term injury. Fellow winger Gbemi Arubi (knee) will be assessed before the game. Midfielder Luke Mulligan (ankle) is fit again.

Match Officials
Referee: Declan Troy
Assistants: Jason Ray & Brian Lawless Jr.

14 April 2017; A general view of Dundalk supporters and banners during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match between Dundalk and Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Co Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

Ticket Information
Ticket prices are as follows:
Stand: Adult €15, Juvenile (U12s) €8
Ground: Adult €10, Juvenile (U12s) €5

Tickets are on general sale. Cash & card will be accepted at the turnstiles. The club are encouraging supporters to buy online as we pilot our new system to go cashless. While we will have plenty of staff to assist and ensure a smooth transaction, please ensure that you arrive in good time before the game. Gates open at 6.30pm.

Security and stewards will be checking tickets. Please ensure that you have purchased the correct ticket. Those with incorrect tickets will be asked to purchase the correct ticket or leave the grounds with no refund.

Drogheda United FC have received away ticket details.

Matchnight Instructions
An Garda Síochána anticipate large crowds and all directions by stewards and members of An Garda Síochána must be obeyed. Failure to do so will result in removal from Oriel Park and the grounds.

For Health and Safety, no under 14s will be admitted without an adult. Any unaccompanied child under 14 will be refused entry and must not wait around the grounds. We ask that all parents ensure that their child is admitted before leaving.

Anti-Racism
Dundalk FC condemns all forms of bigotry and discrimination and will not accept any hostile abuse of individuals, players, spectators or officials based on ethnic or cultural background, skin colour, nationality, or religious affiliation.

Those found to be involved in any such behaviour will be banned from Oriel Park and will be reported to An Garda Síochána. Oriel Park is a family-friendly environment and we will not accept any behaviour that contravenes our ground regulations.

Flares/Smoke Bombs
A reminder to all supporters that the use of flares, smoke bombs, canisters and fireworks is extremely dangerous and strictly prohibited.

All Dundalk supporters have a right to support their team in safety without fear of being badly burned, or suffering from smoke inhalation. Please do not use them.

Match Sponsor
The match is kindly sponsored by the club’s Official Mobility Partner, Blackstone Motors, who have showrooms in Dundalk, Drogheda and Cavan. The Blackstone Motors logo is displayed on the back and both sleeves of Dundalk FC’s 2025 home and away jerseys. We thank them for their continued support.

Bars & Food Outlets
The Lilywhite Lounge and Enda McGuill Suite will be open from 6.30pm on Friday. Please note that only cash will be taken at half-time. Our Matchday Food Partners, Mullens, Castletown Road and the Brew Crew will be in Oriel Park for the match.

Club Shop
The Club Shop will not be open on Friday night.