Dundalk will be hoping to return to form when they entertain old rivals, Premier Division hopefuls Shamrock Rovers in their last home friendly at Oriel Park on Thursday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). The Lilywhites were under-strength and below-par in their last outing on Valentine’s Day against Bray Wanderers, however, a much changed line-up can be expected for the visit of the Hoops.
 
Rovers, who began their preparations for the new season with away wins in Longford and Kildare at the beginning of the month, have just returned from a warm-weather training camp in Marbella. There, the Hoops earned scoreless draws against two Polish teams who are currently sitting eighth and sixth in the Polish Premier Division, the pair some twenty points off leaders Wisla Krakow.
 
For five Dundalk players, it will be an opportunity to impress against the club they left just under three months ago, as ex-Rovers stars David Cassidy, Jamie Duffy, Ian Ryan, Paul Shiels and Davie O’Connor are all expected to play some part during the ninety minutes in their new colours. In their place, Pat Scully has brought in stars such as Stephen Rice (Bohs), Dessie Baker (Longford), Sean O’Connor and Darragh Maguire (both Pats), while new signing Alan Murphy (Galway) could make his bow if he passes a medical with the club on the day of the game.
 
Dundalk Team News: Midfielder Paul Crowley is in line for his Dundalk debut after returning to full training in the past week, while central defender Ben Whelehan will continue working his way back to full fitness and is likely to play another 45 minutes. Elsewhere, John Gill will have a full squad to choose from, with a much stronger side than the one which lined-out against Bray expected to start here.
 
2008 Friendly Results:
Tuesday 5 February - Longford Town 0-2 Shamrock Rovers - (Doyle, O’Neill)
Thursday 7 February - Dundalk 0-0 Drogheda United - (Drogheda win 5-4 on penalties)
Friday 8 February - Kildare County 2-3 Shamrock Rovers - (Robinson 32, Kilduff 81; Baker 6, 26, Doyle 17)
Monday 11 February - Gornik Zabrze 0-0 Shamrock Rovers
Tuesday 12 February - Dundalk 1-0 Saint Patrick’s Athletic - (Flanagan 4)
Thursday 14 February - Dundalk 0-2 Bray Wanderers - (Duggan 27, Vaughan OG 60)
Thursday 14 February - GKS Belchatow 0-0 Shamrock Rovers