“WE JUST need to dust ourselves down and not feel sorry for ourselves and try and get something against St Pat’s.” So said Dundalk manager Ian Foster as he tried to rally his players for their home league clash with the Dubliner tomorrow evening following their 6-0 humiliation to Levski in Thursday night’s Europa League game in Sofia.
Foster continues without central defender Liam Burns, still out with an abdominal injury.
St Patrick’s, remain without Gareth Coughlan (broken leg), while new midfield signing, the prodigal Garreth O’Connor, is suspended.
With the club having rescheduled their initial departure to Israel for the return of their Europa League tie with Bnei Yehuda from Monday morning to tea-time, Shamrock Rovers manager Michael O’Neill isn’t making an issue of their having to play in the televised match at Galway United tomorrow night.
“Ideally, you wouldn’t want to kick off at five past eight,” said O’Neill who would have preferred a 3pm kick-off.
“But we’re not moaning and groaning. The game’s on TV so it’s good coverage for the League,” added O’Neill, who is again without striker Dessie Baker (Achilles) and long-term injured defender Pat Sullivan (knee).
Galway’s leading scorer Anthony Flood and midfielder Cian McBrien have left the cash-strapped club, with Dubliner Flood attracting interest from Scotland and Sweden.
FIXTURES:Tonight (7.30 unless stated): First Division – Longford Town v Athlone Town (7.30) Salthill Devon v Mervue United (7pm). Sunday: Premier Division – Dundalk v St. Patrick's Athletic (7pm), Galway United v Shamrock Rovers (8.05, live Setanta Ireland)
