Dundalk seek to extend Oriel run against improving Galway

Dundalk FC face another stern test in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday night when Galway United visit Oriel Park (kick-off, 7:45pm).

The hosts have lost just once in 11 fixtures since their return to the top flight, while Galway arrive in strong form, having won three of their last four outings.

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Their scheduled meeting with Shelbourne last Friday was postponed. Dundalk, meanwhile, have not suffered a league defeat at Oriel since 2024.

Both sides were widely tipped to struggle near the foot of the table before the season began, but currently occupy fourth and fifth places respectively. Friday’s meeting therefore carries the prospect of pushing either team towards possible contention for European qualification.

Manager Ciaran Kilduff is anticipating another demanding encounter. “We haven’t had an easy one yet. Galway are very good. What they’ve been doing the last couple of weeks is a testament to John (Caulfield) and the players. They’re well able to press, they can play, they’re a handful,” he said, referencing the sides’ earlier draw in Galway.

“We’re going to get a really tough game. All the games have been tough here. Everyone knows we’re in good home form. We’re probably seen as a tough place to go, and I’m sure Galway are well aware of that and will make nothing easy for us.”

Dundalk will be without Aodh Dervin, who serves a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season, ruling him out against his former club.

Galway native Daryl Horgan returns from suspension, but Kilduff must again contend with a lengthy injury list. Vinnie Leonard, Danny Mullen and Rob Cornwall are among those sidelined.

“Daryl obviously comes back from suspension. Vinnie — you’re probably looking at three weeks. Vinnie has obviously been struck ill with a virus, and he has a bit of a rehabilitation stage to go through that I think begins next week.

“Other than that, Norman (Garbett) is long-term. Rob Cornwall’s actually not too far away as well. Danny Mullen — he went to see a specialist today. It probably just wasn’t the news we were hoping for.

“We thought he was very, very close, and now he’s probably just close, so you might be looking at another fortnight there. Obviously, Conor Kearns is still long-term.”

There was more encouraging news for Leo Gaxha, who returned to the bench for Friday’s 2-2 draw with Derry City following an ACL injury sustained last June. Kilduff said the forward is likely to see minutes in Tuesday’s PTSB Leinster Senior Cup quarter-final against Shelbourne at Oriel (7:45pm).

“Leo’s going to get minutes on Tuesday in the Leinster Senior Cup. He needs it. Obviously, it’s such a lengthy one, so he’ll be slowly brought back into things. Leo wasn’t an option tonight to actually play.

“We lost Conor O’Keeffe yesterday, but he came off against Pats after a collision. He still had symptoms yesterday, so we just couldn’t risk it tonight. That’s why we just filled the seat with Leo.

“We’re the defending champions, so we want to make a good account of ourselves. There’ll be an element of top-ups and an element of basically just making sure that lads are sharp and ready to go for Friday.

“We played Shels already in it — the U20s are usually what they put out — but it’ll be a tough game and it’ll be used for those that need it.”