Longford Town defender Andy Bermingham may return to the squad here having sat out last week’s draw in Waterford through injury, however, the midlanders will definitely be without centre-half Ronan Frawley, who now serves a suspension carried-over from last year. Dundalk right-back John Flanagan must do likewise, while central defender Ben Whelehan (ankle) also misses out through injury. However, on a positive note, goalkeeper Chris Bennion and captain Aidan Lynch, who both missed the win over Monaghan through one-match bans, will now re-enter John Gill’s plans. Longford Town were the busiest club in the country in the close-season’s wheelings and dealings, as 18 players exited and 25 entered the Flancare Park dressing-room. Following the FAI Cup final defeat to Cork City after the pain of relegation from the top flight three weeks earlier, manager Alan Mathews departed, with all bar three senior players - experienced goalkeeper Shay Kelly, midfielder and captain Daire Doyle and defender Alan O’Riordan - of the 2007 squad joining him. Three of those made their way to Dundalk, as Ian Ryan and Jamie Duffy - both of whom had been on loan to Longford from Shamrock Rovers - and Robbie Martin arrived at Oriel Park. In the opposite direction went both Vinny Perth and Neil Gallagher, while the rest of the new signings are made up mainly of former Athlone Town players and a host of local, largely unknown players.   Players In (25) - Dean Barrett, Andy Bermingham, Ryan Casey, Kyle Cawley, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Ronan Frawley, Neil Gallagher, David Garry, Kevin Grehan, Luke Hardy, Shane Harte, Jimmy Hussey, Keith Kelch, Brian Kelly, Alan Lynch, David Maher, Noel McAllister, Michael McCarthy, Darren McKenna, John McNicholas, Gary Murphy, Colin Murray, Ryan O’Donnell, Vinny Perth, Damien Rushe. Players Out (18) - Dessie Baker, Damien Brennan, Kevin Doherty, Gary Deegan, Michael Dempsey, Jamie Duffy, David Freeman, Colm James, Sean Kelly, Eoin Lynch, Robbie Martin, Dave Mooney, Sean Prunty, John Reilly, Mark Rutherford, Ian Ryan, Pat Sullivan, Ian Wexler. MATCH ODDS 17/10 Longford Town - 11/5 Draw - Dundalk 13/10

His optimism shows a level of confidence which is brought by scoring goals. Not intent on basking in the glory of shooting Dundalk to their first win of the season, as he opened his account for the Lilywhites with a double, Robbie Martin has already set his sights on breaking a club record by aiming for 23 more.  Not in the history of the most successful provincial club on the island has a player fired that many goals in a single league campaign - the highest to date was set by Philly Hughes two years ago as he netted 21. That, however, is a figure which Martin believes he can surpass. His brace against Monaghan United last Thursday put the former UCD goal machine on the road, and, when speaking exclusively to dundalkfc.com ahead of his return to Flancare Park this weekend, Robbie’s goal target for the season was clear. “Twenty-five,” he states adventurously. A panglossian objective for many, perhaps, however, Martin feels it is a realistic one. “I think so, yeah,” he asserts. “Absolutely. Sure why not?,” he concludes with a smile. The Leixlip-born star is buzzing after scoring his first league goal in almost a year. “I was delighted; absolutely delighted,” he admits. Not since last April had it happened for Martin, however, that was due mainly to him being played on the wing at Longford. Now, back in attack and back on the score-sheet, Robbie is on a high. “I’m happy to be playing up front,” he says. “I’m enjoying it - it’s where I play. I think if you look at anyone, look at Dave Mooney last year; if he had played on the right-wing all year, he wouldn’t have got many goals out of it. I’m not a winger and I never have been. At Longford, we weren’t a team at the top of the league; we were defending for a lot of the games and we weren’t playing attacking football. We were a team who were scrapping for everything so it

didn’t suit me on the wing, because I’ve always been a centre-forward, so it’s a big difference. Giller, in fairness to him, said he’d give me a chance up front, and he’s kept his promise, so I’m delighted with the way it’s going so far.”   Martin’s two goals against Monaghan propelled Dundalk to the top of the division, if only for a night, as the Lilywhites added to their opening day point at Shelbourne. And, with two positive results behind them, the hitman admits that the dressing-room is a pleasant place to be around at the moment. “It’s very good,” Rob says. “At the start, the worst we would have looked for was four out of the six points, and I suppose in hindsight, we were happy to get the four out of it after what happened at Shels.   “We were very happy after the Monaghan win; I thought we played well. It was important to get that first win under our belt and to score a couple of goals as a team. In pre-season, we played a lot of tough games; we didn’t play a weak or so-called weaker team, so obviously it was going to be different playing a team like that and having a go, and trying to create chances. Overall, I thought we did quite well.   “It’s a good group of lads here, and I think we’ve bonded well since the start of pre-season. It’s a long time now since we started, it’s nearly two-and-a-half months. The lads know each other well at this stage, so it’s enjoyable and it’s good craic at the moment.   “During pre-season, we got a lot of fitness in. We played a lot of games, which was a different type of pre-season than I’m used to anyway, where we played more than we trained. It was different, but I think we feel the benefits of it now. We’re used to playing with each other now, obviously. The lads are looking fit and they’re looking strong. We’re not carrying too many injuries so far either, thank God, so hopefully that will stay the way it is.”   This Saturday sees Dundalk enter battle once more as they travel to table toppers, Longford Town. For Robbie, it will be a nostalgic time, as he returns to his old stomping ground and to a club where he tasted bittersweet emotions during a two-year spell.   “I’m looking forward to going back,” he admits. “It should be a decent match. I’m looking forward to playing all the games at the moment, to be honest, because it’s going well. It should be a good one. I haven’t seen Longford yet, but they had a good win in their first game of the season.   “They’ll be strong and they’ll have lads who are looking to play it. I know Aaron (Callaghan); he’s a good manager and he’ll have them motivated. But I don’t think it’s about them; it’s about us going down and performing. As a team, we’re looking to go up, we’re looking to win the league, and they’re the places you have to go and you have to win, realistically. So, we’re looking forward to it.”   It will, however, be a Longford line-up which will bear little resemblance to the one when Martin last played at the stadium, as only three of last year’s squad have remained on for this season. “There’s only really Daire Doyle, Shay Kelly and Chucky (Alan O’Riordan) who would still be there from my time,” he says. “Longford were good to me when I was there, but they’re nothing to do with me anymore. I’m a Dundalk player now.”   DFC TOP SCORERS - LEAGUE SEASON 21 - Philly Hughes (2006) 20 - Martin Reilly (2000-01) 19 - Liam Munroe (1959-60) 18 - Peter Hanrahan (1990-91) 18 - Jimmy Hasty (1963-64)

FORM GUIDE
Dundalk:
13 March - Dundalk 3-0 Monaghan United - (Martin 8, 87, Cassidy 44)
7 March - Shelbourne 0-0 Dundalk - (Bennion S/O 40)
 
Longford Town:
14 March - Waterford United 1-1 Longford - (Warren 53; Kelch pen. 88)
8 March - Longford 5-1 Sporting Fingal - (Davoren 12, 36, McKenna 51, 59, 62; Hynes 30)

FORMER FACES: Longford Town: Vinny Perth, Neil Gallagher, Aaron Callaghan Defender Aaron Callaghan found the most success of the trio at Dundalk, as he won promotion and an FAI Cup during his two-year spell at Oriel Park between 2000 and 2002. Goalkeeper Neil Gallagher had two spells at the club, during which he made 31 appearances, before departing last November. Vinny Perth, meanwhile, also left at the end of last season having endured an injury-ravaged campaign with the Lilywhites, as he made just nine starts in the 36 games.   Dundalk: Robbie Martin, Jamie Duffy, Ian Ryan, Robbie Farrell Robbie Martin, Jamie Duffy (celebrating in the FAI Cuand Ian Ryan all spent time at Flancare Park last season, as the three suffered the pain of relegation. Ryan was cup-tied for the midlanders’ FAI Cup final, as Martin (90 minutes) and Duffy (78 minutes) lined-out in the 1-0 defeat to Cork City. Martin had arrived at Longford for a fee of €10,000 in 2006, while Duffy and Ryan joined on-loan from Shamrock Rovers in July 2007. Striker Robbie Farrell had an unsuccessful one-season stint at the club under Stephen Kenny in 2000.

MANAGER MATCH-UP
Aaron Callaghan -v- John Gill
Aaron Callaghan took over as Longford Town boss following the departure of Alan Mathews in December, with this being his third managerial job having previously worked in the position at Athlone Town for a brief spell and at Crusaders where he was player/manager. Bar that short time at Athlone, Aaron has been a coach at Flancare Park since July 2002.
 
In his playing career as a central defender, Aaron spent most of his career in England, with spells at Stoke City (where he made his English league debut in 1984), Crewe Alexandra, Oldham Athletic and Preston North End, before returning home to play at Saint Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk, as well as Irish League sides Crusaders and Glenavon. He also had a short stint at Shelbourne in the mid-90s. His honours include winning the FAI Cup with Dundalk, two Irish League titles with Crusaders, a League Cup with Shels, and also a Second Division Championship with Oldham.
 
At Oriel Park, Aaron was part of the only Dundalk squad to win promotion to the Premier Division in 2001. In total, he made 45 appearances for the Lilywhites. He scored his only ever league goal for the club in the 3-0 win over Drogheda United on 18 August 2001 during the First Division winning season, while he netted his only other goal in Black & White in a 1-1 draw with Galway United at Oriel Park in an FAI Cup Third Round tie on 13 December 2001, during the famous cup winning run.
 
In his playing career, Callaghan achieved more than his opposite number here, John Gill. However, just starting out, he has a bit to go to match his two-year elder’s managerial achievements to date.

Dundalkfc.com explores the possibilities…

Darren McKenna -v- Aidan Lynch
Striker Darren McKenna joined Longford in the close-season, having spent the opening part of last year at Shelbourne. Prior to that, he spent a number of years at both Kildare County and Monaghan United. He has already found himself three goals for his new club - all against Sporting Fingal in an eleven-minute spell on his debut in the opening match of the season. His strength and touch also caused the Waterford defence all kinds of problems last weekend at the RSC, however, he failed to find the net, and the Dundalk defence will have to be on top form to keep the 27-year-old scoreless again here.
 
After being dropped for the trip to Shelbourne a fortnight ago, Ian Ryan was recalled to the side for the visit of Monaghan United last week, and he again impressed highly with another polished performance. With Ben Whelehan likely to miss out through injury once more and full-back John Flanagan suspended, however, the youngster will likely line-out at right-back, leaving captain Aidan Lynch to marshal McKenna. Lynch has been outstanding since the beginning of pre-season, and will be fresh for battle having sat out last week’s win through a one-match ban. Captain Fantastic was just that in the draw at Shels, and he should be well able to handle his opponent here.


 
Daire Doyle -v- David Cassidy
Just ten days younger than his team-mate McKenna, Daire Doyle (above left) is one of the few to remain at Flancare Park from last season. He is also one of the most experienced midfielders that David Cassidy will come up against this season in the First Division. Prior to last year, Doyle spent all of his career in England as he played for Coventry City, Kidderminster Harriers, Nuneaton Borough, Moor Green, Redditch United and Broomsgrove Rovers between 2000 and 2007, before the Dubliner returned home to join Alan Mathews’ Longford for the beginning of last season. In 21 appearances, he was a commanding figure in the middle of the park as he helped the midlanders almost complete ‘The Great Escape’, and even though his efforts proved in vain, he was rewarded with the captain’s armband for the 2008 season.
 
His opposite number here, Cassidy just gets better with each passing game. Standing at just 5ft7, the 22-year-old has already endeared himself to fans with his all-round performances, as he has carried his pre-season form into the league. A ‘Man of the Match’ display against Shelbourne was followed up with another eye-catching showing against Monaghan last week, in a game which also seen him net his first goal for the club. A tendency to pick up yellow cards - he has two already from two games - is the only worry about the Dubliner, however, it is the only one. Five years younger than Doyle, experience - like last week against Monaghan’s Don Tierney - is the only attribute which Cassidy doesn’t beat his opponent on.


 
Colin Murray -v- Robbie Martin
Interestingly, one of a largely unknown group of players to join Longford in the off-season, centre-half Colin Murray is a son of former Lilywhites midfielder and manager, Martin Murray. Murray was part of the double winning Dundalk side of 1988, while he more recently managed the club to promotion in 2001 and the FAI Cup in 2002. His son, a member of the under-18 FAI Elite Squad last year, previously played for Crusaders for a short spell, before joining Longford in February. He earned his first start of the new season last weekend away to Waterford following an injury in the opening match to Andy Bermingham, and with Ronan Frawley suspended for this clash, Murray should be in line for another start here against his father’s former club.
 
His task will be far from an easy one, however, as he will likely be chosen to mark Dundalk’s star striker, Robbie Martin. Martin’s endless running was rewarded last week at home to Monaghan, as the 25-year-old netted himself two goals - his first strikes for the club since joining from Longford in December. In his two seasons at Flancare Park, Martin only scored two goals in league competition in 44 appearances. However, a goal machine at his only other League of Ireland club, UCD, the Leixlip man has already hinted at a return to that type of form with the Lilywhites. And, against an inexperienced opponent here, Martin could once again find himself on the score-sheet.

Vinny Perth & John Gill Gill spent years trying to lure Perth to one of his clubs, however, having eventually succeeded in capturing the Longford Town legend, it was a signing which didn’t go to plan. Perth arrived at Dundalk in January 2007 but only made nine starts during a year which saw the experienced midfielder troubled throughout by a groin injury. As a result, Perth departed the club in December, before rejoining Longford soon after.   Aaron Callaghan & Robbie Martin Bar a brief spell as manager of Athlone Town, Callaghan has been a coach at Longford since 2002. Martin arrived from UCD at the beginning of 2006 for a fee of €10,000, and during his two years at the club, he worked under Callaghan, who was Alan Mathews’ assistant manager. Mathews and Martin, along with 17 other players, were to leave Flancare Park following relegation at the end of last season, however, with Callaghan since taking over the reigns.

- This will be the first time that John Gill has faced Longford Town in a competitive game as Dundalk boss. In two pre-season friendlies against the midlanders, Gill has seen his side lose (1-0 in 2006) and draw (2-2 in 2007) - although the manager wasn’t present for the latter meeting, as his assistant Gerry Scully took charge for that encounter.
 
- In fact, this will be Dundalk’s first competitive game against Longford in six years. The last time the sides met was in the Premier Division on 23 February 2002, when the Lilywhites took a 3-1 win away from Flancare Park with goals from Ciaran Kavanagh and Garry Haylock (2).
 
- On the Dundalk team that day was one Aaron Callaghan. The team in full was: John Connolly; John Whyte, Donal Broughan (Aaron Callaghan), Stephen McGuinness, David Crawley; Ciaran Kavanagh, John Flanagan, Jonathon Prizeman, James Keddy; Martin Reilly (Cormac Malone), Garry Haylock.
 
- Dundalk have been in the First Division since being relegated at the end of that season, as they - with a better goal difference - finished just a single point behind Longford, as the midlanders snatched the playoff place.
 
- Longford is the second of eighteen away days on Dundalk’s 2008 fixture list. In total, by the end of it, the squad and its supporters will have travelled a round trip of 5,569.6 kilometres (3,460.8 miles). This compares to 6,574.8 kilometres (4,085.4 miles) last year - meaning that with Finn Harps, Cobh Ramblers and Kilkenny City taken off the list of destinations, over 1,000 kilometres (625 miles) has also been knocked off this season’s Discovery Ireland tour.
 
- Dundalk have won only one of their last eleven away games. That sole win came in Athlone last October with an early strike from Paul Marney and a long-range cracker from Trevor Vaughan sealing a 2-1 win. Outside of that, in ten games on the road since last July, the Lilywhites have drawn three and lost seven!
 
- In 37 league matches away from Oriel Park under John Gill, Dundalk’s record is: P37 - W18 - D8 - L11 - F45 - A35. Gill had only lost four away games in 25 outings until last June when Dundalk lost 1-0 in Cobh.
 
- Dundalk’s overall record against Longford in league competition is: P9 - W4 - D3 - L2 - F14 - A9. Their away record against the midlanders, meanwhile, reads: P5 - W2 - D2 - L1 - F8 - A6.
 
- Here’s one! Longford Town haven’t failed to score against Dundalk in a league game since 28 March 1985! On that day, at Oriel Park, Billy Wright scored the home side’s only goal in a 1-0 win.
 
- Dundalk have used 17 players so far in this year’s league, out of their squad of 22. Only three of those players - David Cassidy, David Crawley and Robbie Martin - have played the full 3 hours, 8 minutes and 47 seconds on the pitch.
 
- Dundalk also haven’t conceded a goal in that 188:47 minutes.
 
- Longford’s home record last season was: P17 - W6 - D4 - L7 - F17 - A19.
 
- Only seven players scored away from home for Dundalk last year, 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. In contrast, Dundalk’s 40 goals at Oriel Park were scored by 16 different players.
 
- Dundalk currently have four ex-Longford Town players in their squad - Robbie Martin, Jamie Duffy, Ian Ryan and Robbie Farrell. Longford’s player/assistant manager Vinny Perth spent last season at Oriel Park, while their back-up goalkeeper Neil Gallagher is a Dundalk native who has made 31 appearances for his hometown club.

It has been just over six years since these clubs last met. On that occasion, it was in the Premier Division as both sides battled to avoid relegation. Unfortunately for Dundalk, they were to ultimately lose their top flight status as Longford ousted them from the playoff spot by just a single digit. Since then, the Lilywhites have been stuck in the First Division, while Longford went on to win two FAI Cups and a League Cup, before suffering relegation last November. As results below from past encounters confirm, meetings between these teams usually even themselves out over the course of a season.
 
PAST TEN MEETINGS: DUNDALK - W3 - D4 - L3 - F14 - A11
23 February 2002 - Longford Town 1-3 Dundalk
15 November 2001 - Dundalk 1-1 Longford Town
16 September 2001 - Longford Town 2-2 Dundalk
11 March 2000 - Longford Town 1-1 Dundalk
3 January 2000 - Dundalk 4-1 Longford Town
30 October 1999 - Longford Town 1-0 Dundalk
29 August 1999 - Dundalk 0-1 Longford Town (League Cup)
22 August 1999 - Dundalk 0-1 Longford Town
15 December 1998 - Longford Town 2-3 Dundalk (Leinster Senior Cup)
16 August 1998 - Dundalk 0-0 Longford Town (League Cup)