Kilduff demands Dundalk derby response
Kilduff said the focus now has to be on selecting a side capable of responding to the Galway defeat
A response will be the priority for Dundalk FC when they make the short trip to face local rivals Drogheda United at Sullivan & Lambe Park on Friday night, with kick-off at 8pm, as they look to halt a seven-game winless run in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
Speaking to the Dundalk Democrat after their 2-1 defeat by Galway United, Dundalk manager Ciaran Kilduff acknowledged that the current run could force him to alter his team as they seek a response.
“We touched on that in there. There’s a lot of lads there who have given so much, but I don’t think anyone has any real leverage or stock when we’re on a bad run like this,” he said.
“We will have to address some things. We have to think about it. And it’s not all drastic. It’s not all wrong all season.”
Despite the difficult spell, the Lilywhites remain fourth with eight Premier Division games remaining. Drogheda, meanwhile, are fighting at the other end of the table and have won just once in their last 13 league matches, although that victory came against Dundalk at Oriel Park last month.
The Boynesiders are also the only side among the 18 teams Kilduff has faced as Dundalk manager, across both the Premier and First Divisions, that he has yet to defeat.
“We’re not in a good run. So they should smell blood, but we’ll smell blood too,” Kilduff said.
“We owe them one as well. They’re the only team in the whole division that we haven’t beaten. So we’ll have to go up there and do everything.”
Kilduff said the focus now has to be on selecting a side capable of responding to the Galway defeat, adding that the players and management team will have to “dust off, reassess and pick 11 players and a bench that are going to come in and help us win that game”.
There are also injury concerns ahead of the trip to Drogheda. Tyreke Wilson and JR Wilson are unlikely to return in time, although Kilduff said both are progressing and could be back within the next fortnight.
“They’re probably looking hopefully within the next fortnight. I don’t think they’ll make Drogheda, but they are getting scans and they are progressing well,” he said.
There was better news on Harvey Warren, who is back in training, but Danny Mullen is unlikely to feature again this season after suffering an ankle injury in the 8-0 FAI Cup victory over Castlebar Celtic.
“Danny Mullen is not great from the looks of that. It’s not looking good,” Kilduff said, while Keith Buckley is also carrying a hamstring problem after coming through the Galway game.
“Keith Buckley was struggling at the end there as well. His hamstring seems to be an issue for him there, but he gives us everything and he’s a player of experience and even filling in there at right-back to try and get us up the pitch,” Kilduff said.
“He’s not one I’ve ever any doubt about going through well for us, but he is carrying a knock.”
Shane Tracey’s return from injury against Galway provides another option for Kilduff, with the midfielder coming off the bench for an appearance following a spell on the sidelines.
With eight league games remaining and a place in the FAI Cup quarter-finals against Derry City also secured, Kilduff acknowledged that he is still working out his preferred combinations following a significant mid-season turnover in personnel.
“We’re kind of still trying to figure a few bits out. It’s been a huge transition mid-season with a lot of players,” he said.
“It’s great to see Shane Tracey back for the first time as well. He’ll be a huge player to us and we’re just going to have to pick the ones for next week that we feel can go there and get the result.”