Preview: Dundalk look to make it four wins in a row against out of form Cork City

An old rivalry will be finally renewed in Oriel Park later this evening as Cork City return to Dundalk for the first time in three years. 

The Lilywhites and the Rebels were the kingpins of Irish football in the mid 2010s, fighting it out for league and FAI Cup honours.

Between 2014 and 2018, Stephen Kenny’s Dundalk won four league titles and two FAI Cups, while John Caulfield’s Cork City secured the league and FAI Cup double in 2017 before they were relegated three years later.

The club's haven't met at Oriel since 2020, which was a 3-0 win for Dundalk. This ended up being the last home game prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They last met on Easter Monday, where Stephen O'Donnell's side tasted defeat in Turners Cross. A game of few chances at either end was ultimately settled on 38 minutes, when Cian Murphy raced through on goal before sliding the ball underneath Nathan Shepperd. 

However since that loss Dundalk has gone an a five game unbeaten run, resulting in them climbing up the table to fourth position having accounted for Sligo Rovers, UCD and Drogheda and drawn with Derry City and Shelbourne. 

Meanwhile Cork's form has been poor this season. Their win over the Oriel Park men was was a rare one. They have only recorded one other victory from their 13 outings thus far.

It has led to their manager Colin Healy departing from his position last week, with their newly appointed Director of Football Liam Buckley stepping into the dugout tonight.

“Colin Healy was a part of that Cork team that we had so many battles against in the past and he obviously left his position as Cork City manager last week" stated Dundalk head coach Stephen O'Donnell.

"I always enjoyed coming up against him as a player and as a manager and I’m on the Pro-Licence course with him now, so I was very disappointed to see him go.

“We’re probably facing a little bit of the unknown on Friday. Liam Buckley came in and took over as interim manager last week and Cork were very competitive against St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night. But it’s hard to gauge what sort of team they’ll play against us or what way they’ll set up.

“We’ll have to react in-game if needs be but it’s a match we’re looking forward to. We’ve won our last three on the spin, we’re unbeaten in five, and we’re full of confidence."

Dundalk vs Shamrock Rovers chosen for TV coverage

O'Donnell not taking league position for granted in cut throat Premier Division

The game kicks off another hectic period in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division which will see Dundalk travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell to face Derry City on Monday night before welcoming current league leaders Bohemians to Oriel Park next Friday.

With Bohs set to face the Candystripes on Friday night, Dundalk know that a win would see them make up ground on at least one of the teams in the top three ahead of two crucial fixtures next week.

Looking to team news, Cameron Elliott and Daniel Kelly have enjoyed a full week of training after returning to the squad for the win over Sligo Rovers. However Andy Boyle, Greg Sloggett, Louie Annesley, Robbie Benson and John Mountney are still unavailable.