Dundalk, without a win from their opening nine games of the First Division season, aim to break a mind-numbing sequence of draws when they take on form side Limerick FC at Oriel Park tonight (Thursday, 7.45pm).
The Lilywhites, many people’s pre-season fancies for a promotion challenge, have racked up six successive draws, and will need to start converting those results if they are to bridge the yawning gap on the sides ahead of them.
Section leaders Finn Harps are twelve points ahead of the County Louth side, and with almost a third of the season having elapsed, Trevor Anderson’s side’s hopes of even challenging for a play-off place appear to be dimming by the week.
Amazingly, Anderson – who took charge when Martin Murray was dismissed last October – has yet to lead his side to a league win in front of their own fans. Tonight is his twelfth attempt.
While last season Dundalk were all too beatable, Anderson has moulded a solid line-up in the interim, although they will have to combine the characteristic resolve that has seen them go six games unbeaten with greater creativity and ruthlessness in front of goal if they are to begin the climb from the bottom three of the First Division table.
With goalkeeper Anthony Fennelly suspended following last week’s sending-off, 18-year-old Neil Gallagher – whose first act last week was to save a penalty from Monaghan United’s Trevor Vaughan – will deputize.
The rest of the side is expected to be unchanged, with former Bohemians and Celtic winger Paul Byrne again ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Limerick have gone four games unbeaten following a shaky start to the season, and have shared the spoils with anticipated promotion contenders Galway United and Finn Harps in their last two outings.
And while Dundalk are near the foot of the table, Limerick can leap to joint second place with three points tonight.
Defender Pat Purcell is missing through suspension while Irish schoolboys’ international James Sugrue is absent due to the Leaving Cert. Player/manager Mike Kerley could start in Purcell’s stead in defence while Shane O’Donoghue and Conor Molan are both available once again following college exams.
