Soccer

Dundalk in the right mood to take on the champions

Brian Gartland looking forward to the top-of-the-table showdown at Oriel Park

Dundalk’s Brian Garland: “We’re all enjoying ourselves and in a place where we want to be. It’s great to be a part of and we’re in good form.” Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Dundalk’s Brian Garland: “We’re all enjoying ourselves and in a place where we want to be. It’s great to be a part of and we’re in good form.” Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho
Paul Buttner
Fri Jun 13 2014 - 01:00

With six straight league wins, in which they've scored 23 times, having propelled them five points clear at the top of the table, it's little surprise to hear Brian Gartland insist Dundalk are prepared to face anyone just now.

Stephen Kenny’s side tonight host champions St Patrick’s Athletic at Oriel Park.

“We’re on a great run at the moment, really winning games and playing some good football,” said central defender Gartland.

“We’re all enjoying ourselves and in a place where we want to be. It’s great to be a part of and we’re in good form.

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“St Patrick’s Athletic are a fantastic side and they’ll come here with all guns blazing. We know how good they are and we’re certainly looking forward to it, but we’re confident at the moment and ready for anyone.”

Though six points behind in third place on the back of two big league wins themselves, St Patrick's midfielder Killian Brennan is keen to divert any pressure Dundalk's way.

“The game can be built up to be massive before we go into the break,” said Brennan. “But the lads are just training away, keeping the heads down and working as we normally do.

“There’s no pressure on us as we’re the away side going there in a one-off game, trying to get a result. That’s what we always do . . ..”

As he did in their cup win over Sligo Rovers last week, David McMillan is again likely to lead the line for Dundalk in the absence of Patrick Hoban who has had a minor knee operation. Keith Ward and Stephen O’Donnell remain out injured while manager Kenny makes a change in central defence due to Andy Boyle’s suspension.

St Patrick’s manager Liam Buckley will give his captain Ger O’Brien every chance to prove his fitness following a groin problem, though young central defender Sean Hoare is out with an ankle injury.

Winger Gary McCabe is suspended for Shamrock Rovers who welcome Cork City to Tallaght Stadium in the night's other top-four clash. Left-back Luke Byrne and Stephen McPhail are still sidelined by injury. Cork will hope that defenders Darren Dennehy and Iarfhlaith Davoren, along with midfielder Colin Healy, are passed fit to start. Winger Liam Kearney returns from suspension.