The DFC Trust will be selling copies of the new-look full colour Dundalk FC Magazine at Oriel Park on Thursday night. Priced at only €3, the magazine features all the latest news from the club. In this week's issue we have the latest from John Gill, captain Aidan Lynch plus physio Claire McKinley gives the latest news from the treatement room. We also speak to Dundalk and former Monaghan striker Robbie Farrell and we feature an in-depth interview with Dundalk CEO Gerry Matthews that is bound to provoke a lot of discussion among Dundalk fans. For a more in depth preview of the magazine <GO HERE>

Hosts Dundalk are sweating on the fitness of centre-half Ben Whelehan (ankle) and right-back John Flanagan (calf), who were both forced to retire early last week through injury. Midfielder Paul Crowley could return, however, captain Aidan Lynch, inspirational in the draw with Shels, is definitely out through a suspension carried-over from last year. Winger Paul Smyth is now free to play against his former club having this year signed a permanent deal with Dundalk. Monaghan, meanwhile, have no bans to be served, however, they will be without long-term injury victim, midfielder Stephen Finnegan. Ex-Lilywhite James Hand, who joined United in the close-season, is expected to make an appearance in his new colours.


MATCH ODDS
4/9 Dundalk - 12/5 Draw - 13/2 Monaghan United

Having started every warm-up game in Dundalk’s preparations for the new season, centre-half Ian Ryan was dropped from the first XI for last week’s league opener at Shelbourne. However, he still played a big role in the Lilywhites earning a precious point as he entered as a half-time substitute, and speaking ahead of their first home match of the season with Monaghan United, Ryan insisted that last week’s point will count for little unless the border side take maximum points from their near neighbours this Thursday evening.  “The mood is upbeat,” Ryan told dundalkfc.com. “Pre-season was very good. We started off particularly well with the games against Drogheda and Pats, and then pushed on towards the end of it. Everything was about the start of the season - that’s what everything was planned around. “Obviously, it was a good result against Shels given the circumstances in the end. Going there, we were looking to get the three points, but with the way the game panned out, we would have settled for a point. We could have nicked it; we had a few chances here and there. My shot, when it left my boot, I thought it was in, and Robbie (Martin) hit the crossbar as well. “But, overall, we were happy with the draw, and now we have to go and build on that on Thursday, or otherwise that point last week will be of no benefit to us. Monaghan will be another tough one. It will be a different game - we’ll get a bit more of the ball and we’ll attack more, but it’s going to be a difficult game.”

Dundalk:
7 March - Shelbourne 0-0 Dundalk - (Bennion S/O 40)
29 February - Derry City 3-2 Dundalk - (Delaney 2, McGlynn 34, Molloy 85; Farrell 61, Smyth 78)
26 February - Bohemians 1-1 Dundalk - (Fenn 56; Smyth 71)
21 February - Dundalk 1-2 Shamrock Rovers - (Lynch 80; Murphy 3, Doyle 55)
14 February - Dundalk 0-2 Bray Wanderers - (Duggan 27, Vaughan OG 60)
12 February - Dundalk 1-0 Saint Patrick’s Athletic - (Flanagan 4)
7 February - Dundalk 0-0 Drogheda United - (Drogheda win 5-4 on penalties)
 
Monaghan United:
7 March - Monaghan 1-0 Limerick - (Sheppard pen. 56)
29 February - UCD 1-0 Monaghan - (Forsyth 80)
23 February - Derry City 3-2 Monaghan - (McHugh, Sammon (2); Meenan, McGlynn OG)
2 February - Bohemians 1-0 Monaghan - (Turner)
28 January - Bray Wanderers 0-1 Monaghan - (Lanigan)

Dundalk: Paul Shiels, Robbie Farrell, Paul Smyth, Trevor Vaughan, John Flanagan
Born and bred Monaghan men, Paul Shiels and Paul Smyth both began their careers with United and were part of the 2001 promotion winning team. In total, Shiels spent twelve years at the club and made close to 200 appearances, before leaving at the end of 2004. Smyth had two spells at Monaghan, making over 100 appearances, during which he scored 17 league goals. Robbie Farrell scored 14 goals in 33 league outings for United between July 2006 & November 2007, while Trevor Vaughan was another goal machine for the Mons, hitting 27 goals in 84 appearances over three seasons between 2001 and 2003. Trevor was also on the team which won promotion in 2001. John Flanagan, meanwhile, had a less sparkling time at Gortakeegan, playing just 13 times for the club back in the 1997/98 season.
 
Monaghan United: James Hand
The left-sided player joined Dundalk in the 2007 July transfer window, but was unable to nail down a regular spot in the team. Hand made just nine appearances (four starts) in all competitions. However, his last ever touch as a Lilywhite was a magnificent one. After entering the game as an 81st minute substitute, Hand hammered home a 30-yard thunderbolt to score a last-gasp winner for Dundalk in their thrilling 4-3 victory over Kildare County at Oriel Park in the final league game of last season on 10 November.

 John Gill -v- Mick Cooke
On the head-to-head, John Gill has achieved more in a management career which started out at the same time as his opposite number. Having coached at Kilkenny City and Kildare County, Gill tasted his first managerial experience with Dublin City in 2003 and achieved promotion at the first time of asking.
 
Incidentally, Gill resigned in mid-season the following year after losing out to Mick Cooke’s Monaghan in a Cup game. Subsequently managed Athlone for a half season, before taking over at Dundalk, where he has transformed the Louth club. Won promotion in his first season, however, he was denied the success on criteria set down by the FAI. Title favourites last year, the Lilywhites faltered, however, Gill has once more assembled a top class squad for 2008 and is expected to be again at the business end of the table come November.
 
Cooke, like Gill a former Drogheda player, is an ex-manager of the Republic of Ireland senior women’s team, while he also spent three seasons as assistant to Damien Richardson at Shamrock Rovers, before taking over at Monaghan in 2003. Has struggled for success at United, with last season’s finishing position of eighth the highest placing achieved by the 56-year-old to date.

Dundalkfc.com explores the possibilities…

	Ian Ryan -v- Philip Sheppard Two players who became acquainted during Sheppard’s short spell at Shamrock Rovers in the early part of the 2006 First Division season. Ryan may have started every one of Dundalk’s pre-season games, however, he was forced to be content with a place on the bench for the season opener at Shels last weekend. Despite that, though, Ryan still had a big part to play as he entered at half-time in place of the injured John Flanagan and put in a superb display, while he also went within inches of netting the winner as his thunderous effort was somehow saved by Dean Delaney late on. With Aidan Lynch suspended and Ben Whelehan struggling with an injury, Ryan is an almost certain starter here, and should line up in the centre of defence having played at right-back last Friday.   22-year-old Sheppard (pictured playing for Rovers against Dundalk in 2006) is an exciting young striker, who returned to Monaghan in the close-season having previously spent time at the club in 2004. It was the season following that which saw Sheppard make a name for himself, however, as Pat Scully took the hitman on-loan to Kilkenny City from Saint Patrick’s Athletic. He repaid the manager’s faith by netting eight times in eighteen appearances, a feat which saw Scully take him to Shamrock Rovers in 2006. There, he scored two goals, both against Dundalk in a 2-0 win at Oriel Park on 11 May in only his fourth club appearance. However, he departed two months later for unknown reasons. Made an instant impact upon his return to League of Ireland football last weekend as he netted the winner on his debut. However, despite his undoubted quality, Ryan is an uncompromising centre-half, and would be fancied to come out on top in this battle with his old team-mate.

David Cassidy -v- Don Tierney
Two players who have never played together before, Cassidy should be able to win this midfield battle. He built on the promise of a superb pre-season, where he picked up two ‘Man of the Match’ awards, by again landing the accolade in the opening league clash with Shelbourne last weekend. An outstanding all-rounder, Cassidy covered every blade of grass as he impressed in both defence and attack, with his never-ending running being the main factor in Dundalk going close to winning the game, before they eventually captured a valuable point. Cassidy spent the second-half of the game on the right-wing in place of Jamie Duffy, however, the 22-year-old’s preferred position is in the centre of the park, and he should revert to that position for this clash

Don Tierney is a well experienced central midfielder who has previously won promotion from the First Division with Drogheda United in 2002. He began his career at Bray Wanderers way back in 1995, and this Thursday should see him make his 250th league appearance in League of Ireland football. After a five-season spell at the Carlisle Grounds, Tierney went on to spend time at Finn Harps, where he suffered the pain of relegation, Drogheda, where he won promotion, and Dublin City, where he worked under John Gill in 2004 in another ill-fated season. Returned to senior soccer at the beginning of 2007 with Monaghan, where he made 19 appearances in the league. He remained on for this year and made his seasonal bow in the home win over Limerick last Friday. The only attribute he appears to have over Cassidy is experience, however, Dundalk’s classier midfield maestro is tipped to once again shine.

Robbie Farrell -v- Aaron Mooney
This pair became acquainted at Monaghan last season, as both impressed at opposite ends of the pitch. Farrell, after scoring in the defeat at Derry in Dundalk’s final pre-season outing, lined-out from the start in Tolka Park last week, however, his time on the pitch was cut short as he made way for substitute goalkeeper Aaron Shanahan on 40 minutes after Chris Bennion’s sending-off.

	Farrell had little joy as Dundalk performed below-par in the opening period, however, following the second-half display - added to their superb home form - the hitman can look forward to more joy here. Scored 12 times in 33 appearances for Monaghan last season, and will be hoping to open his Dundalk account here.Farrell’s task will not be an easy one, however, against a well regarded defender like Mooney. The 25-year-old started out his senior career with Bohemians, however, in three seasons at the club, between 2001 and 2003, he was unable to break into the first-team. As a result, Mooney departed Dalymount Park to join Leinster Intermediate League side, Glenmore Dundrum, where he scored seven times in 40 outings over two seasons. He returned to the League of Ireland when impressing with Kilkenny City in 2006 - his performances being the only bright note in an otherwise terrible year for the Cats as they finished bottom of the table. Signed by Mick Cooke for the following season, Mooney again performed well with three goals in 30 appearances, while he also impressed when playing the full 90 minutes in his first outing of 2008 last weekend. An accomplished defender, Mooney will not be easy to pass.

John Gill & Robbie Collins
A recent arrival at Monaghan, Robbie Collins was part of the Dublin City team which won promotion to the Premier Division under John Gill in 2003 (along with Robbie Farrell photograped above). Collins spent the season prior to that at English club Bury, in the old Nationwide League Division Three, where the then 19-year-old made five league appearances. Robbie then signed for Gill and the Vikings for the 2003 season and helped them to the league title by scoring three goals in eighteen appearances. Not long after Gill’s resignation, Collins also left, having been transferred listed by his namesake, Roddy.
 
Paul Shiels & Mick Cooke
Having worked his way up through the ranks at the club, Paul Shiels was in his eleventh year and sixth senior season at Monaghan when Mick Cooke arrived as manager in 2003. Cooke and Shiels worked together for two full years as the midfielder scored four goals in 57 appearances during that period, before departing for Dermot Keely’s Dublin City where he won promotion in his first season. Shiels counts Cooke as his favourite opposition manager in the League of Ireland.

- Dundalk have made Oriel Park a fortress in the past two seasons. In the last 29 league games at the ground, the Lilywhites have a very impressive record: W21 - D7 - L1 - F61 - A19. In that time, they have kept 16 clean-sheets.
 
- Dundalk’s only defeat at home since June 2006 came last October when an early John Tierney double gave Limerick 37 a shock 2-0 win.
 
- Under John Gill, Dundalk have never been beaten when they’ve taken the lead at Oriel Park. In fact, it has been three-and-a-half years since that last happened, as promotion winning UCD cancelled out a first-half opener to win 3-1 on 11 November 2004.
 
- In 36 league matches at Oriel Park under John Gill’s reign, only three games have ended scoreless (Cobh twice and Limerick once, all in 2007). Dundalk have scored in 29 of those games.
 
- John Gill has a 100% home record against Monaghan as manager of Dundalk.
 
- This will be Monaghan’s sixth appearance on the artificial surface at Oriel Park. So far, their record doesn’t make pretty reading, as they have suffered four defeats. Their only positive result came in their maiden outing on the pitch in September 2005, when they had to be content with a 2-2 draw as current Sporting Fingal striker David Bracken rescued a point for the hosts with a last-minute header.
 
- Ex-Cat Alan O’Connor was the last player to score a winning goal for Monaghan at Oriel Park, when he netted in a 2-1 victory at the ground on 23 September 2004. Mons’ other scorer that day was Robbie Collins, who, incidentally, returned to the club in the close-season.
 
- Monaghan’s overall record in the league at Oriel Park is: P18 - W6 - D3 - L9 - F17 - A31.
 
- Monaghan won just three of their 18 away games in the league last year - against Wexford Youths twice and Limerick once - the joint-lowest number of wins on the road in 2007 along with Kilkenny City.
 
- Dundalk currently have five ex-Monaghan players in their squad - Paul Shiels, Robbie Farrell, Paul Smyth, Trevor Vaughan and John Flanagan. James Hand is Monaghan’s only ex-Lilywhite.
 
- Sixteen members of the squad scored Dundalk’s 40 league goals at home last year. Robbie Doyle and Trevor Vaughan were joint-top of the Oriel scorers’ list with five goals each.
 
- In contrast, only seven players scored away from home for Dundalk, as they netted just sixteen goals on the road all season, the lowest tally apart from Wexford Youths. Shaun Williams was the Lilywhites’ highest scorer on the road with five goals.
 
- Last year, Dundalk were awarded NO penalties at Oriel Park. Visitors Athlone and Limerick both converted from the two spot-kicks at the venue in 2007.
 
- In fact, John Gill has never seen his side take a penalty at home in league competition in the 36 matches he has managed! Amazingly, it has been three-and-a-half years since such a decision has been given at Oriel, with Trevor Vaughan’s double spot-kick at home to Kilkenny City on 7 October 2004 being the last.
 
- The last red card at Oriel Park was shown to Kenny Coleman of Cobh Ramblers on 12 August last year. The last Dundalk player to receive his marching orders at the ground was goalkeeper Chris Bennion when he was dismissed against Kildare County a month earlier.
 
- New signing Robbie Martin will be playing his first competitive game at Oriel Park in almost four years. The last time he played at the ground was on 6 July 2004, when he entered as a 78th minute substitute to help UCD to a 1-0 win.
 
- Interestingly, Jamie Duffy, David Cassidy, Paul Shiels and Davie O’Connor haven’t appeared at Oriel in competitive action since lining-up as the midfield four for Shamrock Rovers on the night the lights went out on 21 September 2006. An eventful match ended 1-1.

Dundalk have never gone through a league season with a one-hundred percent record against Monaghan. Manager John Gill, in his two years at the helm at Oriel Park, has also been hit with the Monaghan bogey, although his record in the fixture reads: W5 - D1 - L2. Four wins from four at home paints a clearer picture that the bogey lies at Gortakeegan (Kingspan Century Park). In four clashes at the Monaghan ground, Dundalk have picked up just one win - that coming in Gill’s very first visit as boss. Since then, the Lilywhites have endured two painful defeats and a draw. The first loss in November 2006 ultimately cost Dundalk the league crown, while the last defeat, last August, put another severe dent in their title hopes.
 
Last season, Dundalk dropped five points in Monaghan, as a Robbie Farrell equaliser cancelled out a John Flanagan header in the sides’ first meeting in April. In the return at Oriel at the end of May, Paul Smyth was passed to play and added to Christy Doran’s 21st second opener. Mons hit back through Willie Doyle, however, Cathal O’Connor wrapped up the three points with a late strike. In August, Doyle was again on the score-sheet, however, this time it mattered, as his late double handed Monaghan an undeserved 2-0 win. In October, however, Dundalk got their revenge with a 1-0 victory, the winner coming courtesy of a Trevor Vaughan special in the second-half.
 
PAST TEN MEETINGS: DUNDALK - W6 - D2 - L2.
11 October 2007 - Dundalk 1-0 Monaghan United
3 August 2007 - Monaghan United 2-0 Dundalk
31 May 2007 - Dundalk 3-1 Monaghan United
6 April 2007 - Monaghan United 1-1 Dundalk
3 November 2006 - Monaghan United 1-0 Dundalk
7 September 2006 - Dundalk 3-1 Monaghan United
7 July 2006 - Monaghan United 1-3 Dundalk
20 April 2006 - Dundalk 4-0 Monaghan United
19 November 2005 - Monaghan United 1-2 Dundalk
15 September 2005 - Dundalk 2-2 Monaghan United