It is another big night in the race for the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title as nearest challengers Derry City and Shamrock Rovers both arrive in Co Louth on Friday night. The Candystripes face Dundalk, and Stephen Bradley must watch from the stands as Rovers go to Drogheda.
Dundalk FC host league and cup double chasing Derry City tonight in a must-win game at Oriel Park. Kick-off is at 7.45pm. The Lilywhites need three points to have any hope of staying in the Premier Division and Shamrock Rovers must take points off Drogheda United to retain their top flight status.
Jon Daly's side sit at the bottom of the table and trail ninth-placed Drogheda by eight points with only three games remaining. As the team looks to defy the odds, manager Daly knows that their form must improve dramatically.
Dundalk have struggled in recent months, winning only one of their last 13 matches across all competitions. Since a 4-2 victory over Drogheda in July, they’ve been winless in their last 10 games.
There are some glimmers of hope despite the grim outlook. Dundalk’s last outing before the international break saw them snatch a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser against Galway United.
Eoin Kenny’s header from Ryan O’Kane’s cross rescued a point and broke a run of five straight defeats. That fighting spirit could be crucial if they are to upset Derry’s title challenge.
The two sides also played out a goalless draw at Oriel Park earlier in the season when Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher produced a fine display to deny Dundalk a win.
On the other side, Derry City have been struggling for form themselves and have just one win in their last nine league matches. Ruaidhrí Higgins' side have found it difficult to capitalise on their position despite sitting second in the table and still very much in the title race.
Back-to-back draws at home against Bohs and Sligo Rovers last weekend left them trailing league leaders Shelbourne by two points with just three games left.
While the Candystripes could jump to the top of the table with a win at Oriel, Dundalk’s focus is entirely on their own survival battle. A loss or a draw would condemn them to relegation. Even with a victory their fate is not entirely in their own hands.
Speaking ahead of the game, Jon Daly, said: “The boys are positive. We have to remain positive and go into the game with the belief that we can get three points from it, hope other results go our way, and keep it alive for as long as possible.
“Obviously, we’re very well aware it’s not in our hands, we require results elsewhere but we also need to do our own business.
“We need to make sure that we pick up three points to give ourselves any chance of taking it to the following week, and hopefully then taking it to the last game of the season where there’s still something to play for.”
He added: “It’s a huge game and we need the crowd right behind us from the start, right from the start to the very end, getting right behind the boys and giving them the support that they need to try to get the three points. Then, what will be, will be elsewhere.
“We can’t control that. We can try to control what happens here. If we have a big crowd here getting right behind the boys, I’m sure it will help. The fans have been brilliant since I’ve come in, they’ve never stopped singing. They appreciate the effort the boys put in.
“I don’t think you could ever criticise them for lack of effort or lack of hard work. I think there are moments of quality and situations where we’ve not had that, and that’s probably the criticism, if we’re going to have any, that would be justified.
“The work-rate, the effort, everything that goes with that, has been there in abundance. It’s just about trying to convert chances when they come. I don’t think there’s been a game since I’ve come in where we’ve been dominated, I don’t think there’s a game where we’ve been massively outplayed.
“We’ve always been in matches. Most of the games that we have lost, we’ve lost by the odd goal. It’s fine margins and, unfortunately for us, we’ve come out the wrong side of close games too often than not.
“That’s where we find ourselves at the moment going into the last three games. We’re in a situation where we need to make sure that we come out the right side of these games.”
The Battle for Dundalk’s Survival
The Lilywhites are eight points adrift of Drogheda United, who are in the promotion/relegation play-off spot, and face title-chasing Derry City on Friday night.
Local lad O’Kane was just 11-years-old when Stephen Kenny won the first of his four league titles at Oriel Park - and saw the club twice reach the Europa League group stages.
“It still doesn’t (feel real) that we’re in that position,” Ryan told dundalkfc.com. “It is a very tough situation we’re in. We just have to keep fighting.
“We didn’t expect to be here, we are, that’s the reality of it, and it’s just about now, these last three games, how can we give ourselves the best chance of getting out of it, and hoping there are a few favours along the way.
“We’re still positive. Training has been brilliant. We just have to focus on these last three games and go out with the mentality that we have to win all three. Obviously, we’ll need favours from other teams, but we just have to focus on ourselves.
“We’ve shown in games that the quality is there. It’s just getting those three points. We’ve been 1-0 up a few times and unfortunately let those leads slip, and either drawn the game or lost. We know it’s there, it’s just about holding out and finding that win.”
Growing up in Dundalk, O’Kane knows what the club means to the community - and how low things can get when the club is struggling.
“It’s difficult. Your whole life revolves around the club. Family members have been here before, I’ve been here quite a while now. Everywhere I go, the conversation is going to be about football, obviously it’s going to be brought up,” he said.
“It’s tough in some aspects of it but it’s obviously great in another aspect when it’s going well, it’s great. But that’s what comes with the territory of playing football. You’re going to have to discuss the bad, you’re going to have to discuss the good.
“I still love playing my football, that’s not going to change. If that chat has to be had with someone, I don’t mind having it, it’s just part of it.”
The Derry City Title Push
While the relegation battle for Dundalk takes center stage, Derry City are also facing a crucial match. They are locked in a tight race for the title, sitting just two points behind leaders Shelbourne.
The Candystripes have been struggling for consistency in recent weeks, with just one win in their last nine league matches. Despite their current position, they are still very much in the title race and a win against Dundalk would put them right back in contention.
A Night of High Stakes
This match promises to be a thrilling encounter with both teams desperate for a positive result. Dundalk will be looking to defy the odds and pull off a shock victory to keep their slim survival hopes alive. Derry City will be aiming to capitalize on their title push and secure a crucial three points.
The clash between these two teams will be a night of high stakes, and the outcome will have significant implications for both clubs.
