Dundalk FC :: News

BRAY WANDERERS -v- DUNDALK FC
2008 FAI Ford Cup - Fourth Round
(Carlisle Grounds, Friday 15 August, 7.45pm)

Premier Division eighth-placed Bray Wanderers and First Division leaders Dundalk will do battle for an FAI Ford Cup quarter-final place when they meet in a competitive fixture for the first time in almost four years at the Carlisle Grounds this Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). Both sides recorded 3-0 away wins - to Rockmount and Shelbourne respectively - in the last round back in June. However, the pair have experienced contrasting fortunes in their league campaigns since then.

While Dundalk have come to life recently with a seven-match unbeaten run - including five wins and six clean-sheets - Bray have been in freefall. Wanderers have lost six of their last eight outings in all competitions, winning just once, while they have shipped fourteen goals - their only two strikes in that period coming in a controversial 2-1 win over Cobh Ramblers at Saint Colman’s Park three weeks ago.

And, Dundalk manager John Gill is looking to add to Bray’s defensive woes. With a vitally important league fixture against Waterford United next week, the boss has stated that his side will be going gung ho if necessary to take the win. “It will take our mind off the league a bit,” Gill admitted to dundalkfc.com, “but I’d rather continue with the league with the momentum that we have. We’re unbeaten in seven now, with five wins and two draws and six clean-sheets.

“You would rather keep playing league games, but we’ll go there to win it. I’ve been to watch Bray twice myself and we’ll pick a team to go out and win the game. We don’t want a replay. We’ll have good options with a couple of players coming back in, and I’ll be playing the strongest team available to me.”

Meanwhile, central defender Ian Ryan, who was cup-tied for Longford Town’s run to the FAI Cup final last year, believes that Dundalk have the quality to go one better than the midlanders. “The cup is a welcome distraction,” Ryan admitted to dundalkfc.com. “We want to stay in the cup and go as far as we can. Playing Bray, a Premier team, is going to be very tough, but they’re the games that you want to play in.

“The league is obviously the main priority, but we want to go as far as we can in the cup. Why can’t we go all the way? Longford got their last year, a so-called smaller team, so why can’t we go and do it this year?”

This will be the first time since 1988 that the teams have met in this competition. That year, Dundalk went on to complete a League and Cup double after knocking Bray out on a 2-0 scoreline at Oriel Park at this stage of the tournament, thanks to goals from John Cleary and Paul Newe.

Despite their poor recent form, Bray can take heart from the fact that they appear to hold a hex over Dundalk. Overall, the Lilywhites’ most recent results against Bray certainly don’t make pretty reading. P9 - W2 - D1 - L6 - F9 - A28. On their last competitive outing at the Carlisle Grounds back in August 2004, Dundalk were subjected to a 5-1 hammering, in a season which also saw the Louth outfit trounced 6-0 at home by the Seagulls.

In their final encounter of the campaign, however, in November of that year - the last competitive meeting between the clubs - a Robbie Dunne hat-trick (one of which came at his own end!) saw Dundalk complete a memorable comeback at home, as they turned a 2-0 deficit around to win 3-2.

Dundalk’s last win in Bray came back on 25 March 2002 when James Keddy netted an injury-time winner. However, that season also saw Bray inflict damaging 5-1 and 3-0 defeats on the Lilywhites.

Team News: Dundalk will be without recent signings Dessie Baker and Derek Doyle for this clash, as both players are cup-tied as they already took part in the competition with different clubs earlier this season. Also ruled out is striker Robbie Martin (knee), however, he has returned to training this week after the stitches from his operation were removed last weekend. Davie O’Connor, who missed last week’s draw at Fingal due to a date with the dentist, is available once more, while centre-half Aidan Lynch may also appear for the first time in five weeks. Bray Wanderers, meanwhile, will be without ex-Lilywhite defender Derek Pender, who is suspended as a result of accumulating four yellow cards.

Should a replay be required, it will take place at Oriel Park next Monday night (kick-off 7.45pm).