Sligo Visit Oriel Park for Monday Night Football

Dundalk FC welcome Sligo Rovers to Oriel Park tonight in their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division encounter.

Both sides set out to pick up their first win of the campaign after the Lilywhites earned one point from a possible six with an opening night draw away to Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

Dalymount Park was buried in snow on Friday, forcing Stephen O’Donnell’s side to reschedule their journey to Bohemians and leaving the Lilywhites with the weekend off.

Friday saw Shelbourne defeat the Bit o’Red for the first time this season at the Showgrounds thanks to a goal from John O’Sullivan.

Sligo Rovers opened the season with two draws, one at home against Derry City and one away at Bohs.

The last time Sligo won away on their travels was May 2023 when they defeated St. Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 at Richmond Park courtesy of a Max Mata goal.

Dundalk ran out 2-0 winners the last time both teams met each other at the Showgrounds in October 2023 when Daryl Horgan and Sam Durrant goals secured victory.

The Lilywhites begin another hectic week tonight before they face St. Patrick’s Athletic in Inchicore on Friday, while Sligo Rovers host Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.

After playing 90 minutes for the clubs MU20 team against Shelbourne, Club captain, John Mountney, is nearing a return to full fitness. 

Head coach, Stephen O’Donnell, gave his view on the free weekend and looks ahead to tonight's clash with Sligo.

“The players had built all week for the Bohemians game so when it was called off it was a bit of a damp squib, but we’ve followed the preparation on for the last couple of days and we’re looking forward to Monday night”, he said.

“It would have been more of a disappointment if we had to go through another full week of preparation, but it’s only been an extra two days which is good.

“Sligo picked up two good points in their opening two games against Bohs and Derry and even though they lost against Shelbourne on Friday night, they had a lot of possession.

“They have good footballers all over the park and they are a threat so we will have to be on our mettle.”

New Dundalk winger, Robbie Mahon, added: “It was frustrating that the Bohemians game was called off.

“When you lose a game like we did against Galway, you want to get out there and right the wrongs as quickly as possible, but we have a big one on Monday night to look forward to.

“Both ourselves and Sligo are going into the game off a defeat and nobody in this league wants to lose two in a row, so it’ll be a good game”, he concluded.