FAI Cup Third round:A loss of momentum in their league form makes this evening's game at Oriel Park all the more important for Dundalk, with manager John Gill hoping a win over UCD in the third round of the Ford-sponsored FAI Cup will have a broader impact on his side's fortunes over the remainder of the season.
Dundalk have won three and drawn four of their last 10 first-division outings, leaving them three points behind Cobh Ramblers at the top of the table and in need of the sort of boost to their confidence victory over the students would provide.
"It's not the greatest run we're on but we've still only lost four of 51 competitive games and we are 26 unbeaten at home, which is a club record," says the former Dublin City boss. "In a sense I'm happy enough to slip out of first place in the league because it means we'll be the hunters rather than the hunted for a while, but it's a tough campaign all right and we're looking forward to this.
"I'm glad to be playing UCD," he adds, "because they play open and attractive football, unlike some of the clubs we've had up there (Oriel Park) in our league."
The students have a reputation passing the ball about and have started to score goals again of late, though they are still without their newly signed strikers Paul Murphy and Peter Hynes, neither of whom is match fit, while Alan Mahon and Paul Byrne miss the trip through injury.
"It's not great," says Pete Mahon, "but at least we have Tony McDonnell and Paul Crowley available to us again."
The hosts probably reckon they are worse off, with Ben Whelehan, Shaun Williams and Kevin McArdle injured and Vinny Perth suspended, although Keith Dunne and Thomas McGauley return.
