Dundalk ready for top-of-the-table clash against Cobh

Tomorrow night promises a defining moment in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, as the league’s top two sides, Dundalk and Cobh Ramblers, go head-to-head at Oriel Park (kick-off, 7:45pm).

With just four points separating the table-toppers from their nearest challengers—a margin that could narrow to a single point following Monday’s fixtures, with Dundalk away to Finn Harps and Cobh hosting Kerry—the magnitude of this encounter in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier Division cannot be overstated.

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Dundalk have held the advantage in this season’s previous meetings, edging a 1-0 win at Oriel in April before claiming a hard-fought 2-1 victory at St Colman’s Park in May.

Now, manager Ciaran Kilduff will be demanding a strong response from his side following back-to-back 1-1 home draws against UCD and Treaty United.

A commanding performance on Friday would not only reignite momentum but also send a clear signal of Dundalk’s intent as the promotion race intensifies.

After last Friday’s draw with Treaty—which saw attendance dip once again to 1,428—Kilduff will also be hoping for a resurgent home crowd to lift his players on the night.

Looking ahead to the Cobh clash, the Dundalk boss told The Democrat: “It’s our next home game. The occasion should be huge—it has to be. It might be our biggest game of the season, bar none.

“I’d hope that there will be a massive crowd here supporting us because we’re going to need it that night, and we need every bit of it. That game is going to be massive.”

After missing the Treaty match due to suspension, defensive duo Sean Keogh and Mayowa Animasahun are now available for selection; however, Conor O’Keeffe remains sidelined as he recovers from the head injury he suffered when Dundalk last faced Cobh last month.

Striker Gbemi Arubi, a key figure in the 2-1 triumph at St Colman’s Park with a goal and an assist, returned to training over the weekend following a groin injury.

“I’m hoping it’s short-term,” Kilduff remarked when providing an update on Arubi’s condition. “Hopefully, there are no hiccups along the way. He has a bit to do yet.”

The Dundalk manager further addressed the status of long-term absentees Norman Garbett and Ethen Vaughan, both sidelined by hamstring injuries and yet to feature in the league this season.

“Three weeks,” he responded when asked how long it would be before both players were once again in contention. “They’ll get a game in early July, with a few in-house friendlies sorted out behind closed doors, just to get these lads up to speed.”