Dalymount test offers Dundalk chance to strengthen European push
The Lilywhites will travel to Dublin to take on Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday
A victory for Dundalk FC against Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off, 8pm) would lift The Lilywhites into third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division with a game still in hand.
Ciaran Kilduff’s side have been one of the stories of the season since returning to the top flight and their remarkable campaign gathered further momentum over the weekend when Tyreke Wilson’s stoppage-time strike secured a 1-0 victory over Galway United.
The circumstances surrounding that fixture were as unusual as its dramatic conclusion. Originally scheduled for Eamonn Deacy Park before being switched to Pearse Stadium because of drainage works, the match was eventually moved to Turners Cross after Galway’s All-Ireland senior football quarter-final against Westmeath created a scheduling conflict.
Dundalk were the better side for long periods and finally found a breakthrough in added time as Wilson’s first-time finish from outside the area earned all three points.
On the same evening, Bohemians suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat away to Derry City, leaving Dundalk just two points behind the Dublin club while having played one game fewer.
The late win over Galway kept Dundalk in fourth place, possibly enough to secure a European berth, with 32 points from 20 matches. They sit just two points behind third-placed Bohemians and only three adrift of St Patrick’s Athletic in second, underlining the significance of Friday’s meeting at Dalymount Park.
One notable absentee against Galway was striker Gbemi Arubi, who was named among the substitutes but remained unused after picking up a knock while winning his first Republic of Ireland Under-21 cap in the recent 2-2 friendly draw with Croatia in Zagreb.
Arubi, who shares the club’s top scorer honours with Daryl Horgan on six league goals, is expected to be available for selection against Bohemians, providing a timely boost for Kilduff ahead of one of Dundalk’s most important fixtures of the campaign.
The sides have already met twice this season. Dundalk recovered from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park in March but surrendered a half-time advantage when Bohemians ran out 3-1 winners at Oriel Park in May.
Meanwhile, Dundalk’s Club Orange FAI Cup second-round tie against St Mochta’s has been switched to Oriel Park. The fixture, originally drawn at the Dublin club’s home ground, will now take place on Friday, July 17th, with the agreement of both clubs.