O'Donnell hopeful Dundalk can get back to winning ways as they host Bohemians

Dundalk look to bounce back from a tough loss on the road when they welcome Bohemians to Oriel Park later this evening (Kick off 7:45PM).

Stephen O'Donnell's troops have had some mixed results of late. The buzz of a late comeback over Cork last Friday night coupled with a tough loss at the hands of Derry City last Monday.

Yet the Lilywhites are still in fourth position and have a chance to go level on points with the Dubliners, who are currently in third position, should they secure the victory over them. With Shelbourne and St Pats only a point behind Dundalk, a win is the only way to make sure they stay ahead of both clubs.

“I think it was a fifty-fifty game in Derry on Monday" recalled O'Donnell. "Both teams didn’t look overly threatening and the main difference was we gifted them goals, they didn’t.

“I thought we could have been better on a physicality front. We watched the game back on Wednesday amongst each other so we know where we can improve and where we need to improve."

Bohs were beaten on both of their visits to Oriel Park last season and have won just once at the Carrick Road since 2017. That victory came back in the 2021 campaign when former Dundalk striker Georgie Kelly scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot.

The last meeting between the two sides came at Dalymount Park in February when goals from another ex-Dundalk player, Jordan Flores, and Declan McDaid put the hosts in the driving seat before Johannes Yli-Kokko pulled one back late on.

Like Dundalk, Declan Devine’s men are also looking to get back to winning ways after consecutive losses to Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.

“Bohs have had a really good start to the season and they’re very competitive, physical, very direct and play to their strengths" stressed the Dundalk Head Coach.

"They have good players but it’s a game to look forward to. Monday’s loss was our first in seven games so we just want to get back on the horse, starting with tonight.”

Darragh Leahy, who went off injured against Derry City on Monday night, and Rayhaan Tulloch, who missed the game at the Brandywell, will both be assessed before kickoff. Andy Boyle, Louie Annesley, Robbie Benson, Greg Sloggett and John Mountney are all still missing.

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Match Officials
Referee: Neil Doyle
Assistants: Wayne McDonnell and Darren Carey
Fourth Official: Marc Lynch