Dundalk FC host Boynesiders in Malone Cup

Dundalk FC and Drogheda United go head-to-head in the Malone Cup at Oriel Park on tonight. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

The Boynesiders took home the trophy last year, but Dundalk striker Eoin Kenny managed to grab his first senior goal in that game.

New Lilywhites boss Ciarán Kilduff is looking forward to seeing his side take on their Louth rivals as they round off their pre-season preparations.

(20 January 2025; Brian Wokocha of Usher Celtic and Scott Brady of Dundalk during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Usher Celtic at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Dundalk has played Shelbourne and the Republic of Ireland U19s in behind-closed-doors pre-season friendlies and competed in Leinster Senior Cup group matches against Malahide United and Usher Celtic.

Next week, they travel to Roadstone to face Shamrock Rovers before their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division campaign kicks off against Athlone Town on Friday, 14th February.

Kilduff sees tonight as a valuable opportunity to assess his squad against a strong Drogheda side.

(20 January 2025; Conor O'Keeffe of Dundalk during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Usher Celtic at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

He said: “We’re looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a proper test. We’ve been waiting for this game for a while now to come around and get to the end of our pre-season games.”

“It’s hard to get an uncompetitive game between Dundalk and Drogheda! We might not see each other a lot this year. But it’s an ideal time for us to be getting a proper test now.”

Current FAI Cup holders and European qualifiers Drogheda will be tough opposition, but Kilduff believes it will give his team a good measure of where they stand.

(20 January 2025; Aodh Dervin of Dundalk during the Leinster Senior Cup match between Dundalk and Usher Celtic at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

Kilduff admitted that it would be a balancing act when discussing his strongest XI. “We’ll be assessing current bodies and who we have, 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,” he explained.

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

(2 February 2024; Eoin Kenny of Dundalk celebrates with teammates Daryl Horgan, left, and Koen Oostenbrink, right, after scoring their side's first goal during the PTSB Leinster Senior Cup/Malone Cup match between Dundalk and Drogheda United at Oriel Park. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile)

The manager has fond memories of this fixture having scored in a 2-0 win at United Park in 2016. He knows from experience that a good performance in this match can set the tone for the season ahead.

He said: “I do remember it, we won 2-0. 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.”

(19 February 2016; Ciaran Kilduff, Dundalk FC, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal with team-mate Darren Meenan, left. Jim Malone Cup, Dundalk FC v Drogheda United at United Park. Photo by Sportsfile)

In team news, defender Seán McHale (heel) will not be risked, and Norman Garbett (hamstring) continues his recovery from a long-term injury.

Fellow winger Gbemi Arubi (knee) will be assessed before the game while midfielder Luke Mulligan (ankle) is fit again.