Bohemians are one of only two teams to have taken league point from Oriel Park this season but Dundalk's momentum has built since then and the Dubliners face a tough night as their former manager brings the league leaders to town.
A couple of clean sheets will have bolstered confidence amongst Owen Heary’s side but keeping one against a side that has scored 14 in four since the Setanta Cup final defeat by Sligo looks a pretty stiff challenge just now, especially if the hosts make a determined effort to win the game, something they largely passed on back in March.
"We will get a tough game at Dalymount Park for sure," acknowledges Stephen Kenny. "Bohemians are a good team and we won't take them lightly (but) we are scoring goals from all over the pitch. We are playing with a great confidence and winning games."
Heary has Dinny Corcoran available again, while Anto Murphy and Jack Memery are lso both in contention. Dave Mulcahy faces a late test on a hamstring problem and Eoin Wearen is still out.
The visitors are without long term absentee Stephen O'Donnell, who is joined on the sidelines by Keith Ward (back) but John Mountney returns to contention for a start along several first team regulars rested for the EA Sports Cup quarter-final win in Derry.
Dundalk's victory there was rewarded yesterday with a semi-final draw at home to Wexford Youth, while Bohemians will face the winner of the rescheduled tie between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers on July 21st, with both semis pencilled in for August 4th.
City are at home to Athlone Town. John Caulfield’s side won by three when the two sides last met but two of their goalscorers from that night, Billy Dennehy and Liam Kearney, will be missing tonight. Still the stats are encouraging, with the southerners sure to go a year unbeaten at home if they come through tonight against a side that hasn’t scored against them in five league games.
Danny Morrissey, Michael Rafter, Darren Murphy and Darren Dennehy are all also out for the hosts but, even after Keith Long’s side finally got their first win of the campaign last week, this still looks a very big ask for the visitors.
Drogheda United have Michael Daly suspended for the visit of Limerick, who scored an important win over St Patrick's Athletic last week.
The Dubliners need to get back on track after having taken just five points for 12 in their last four outings and they face an interesting challenge in the form of Derry City, whose manager will be returning to Richmond just a few weeks after the scouting assignment that seemed to publicly confirm the breakdown of his relationship with then boss Roddy Collins.
Those looking for goals could do worse than a punt on UCD against Bray Wanderers with the two sides not having played out a scoreless draw in 11 years; it was 5-3 the last time. Wanderers have Shane O’Neill, Dave Scully and Adam Mitchell suspended but Rob Maloney and Eric McGill are fit.
