Ian Foster has confirmed a fifth friendly today with Bray Wanderers the latest side added to Dundalk’s pre-season schedule, as the Lilywhites will travel to face Eddie Gormley’s men at Goldenball, Kiltiernan (Wayside Celtic’s ground) on Saturday 13 February, kick-off 2pm. This adds to previous confirmed friendlies against Athlone Town, Shelbourne, Drogheda United and Monaghan United.

Oriel outings
Dundalk will begin their preparations for the league campaign, which starts on 5 March, in earnest when Athlone visit Oriel Park on Sunday week, 7 February. The game will have a 2pm kick-off, with the English Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal (kick-off 4pm) set to be shown afterwards on the big screen in the Lilywhite Lounge. Dundalk entertain Shels two days later and then travel to Bray, before welcoming Drogheda United for the annual Jim Malone Cup match the following Tuesday, 16 February, which will be their final home friendly.

Mons meeting
Dundalk’s only other confirmed outing to date is a trip to Gortakeegan to face near neighbours Monaghan on Friday 26 February. Foster is also planning another away friendly for Saturday 20 February, although the opposition has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old has also been working on pencilling in a date for the club’s Leinster Senior Cup match against the winners of Ballymun United and FC Carlow. Should Ballymun progress from the preliminary round, which is due to be played next Wednesday (3 February), they will play Dundalk on Wednesday 24 February. A date has yet to be provisionally agreed with Carlow.

Confirmed Friendlies
Sunday 7 February – Dundalk v Athlone Town – Oriel Park, 2pm
Tuesday 9 February – Dundalk v Shelbourne – Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Saturday 13 February – Bray Wanderers v Dundalk – Goldenball, Kiltiernan, 2pm
Tuesday 16 February – Dundalk v Drogheda United – Oriel Park, 7.45pm (Jim Malone Cup)
Friday 26 February – Monaghan United v Dundalk – Gortakeegan, 8pm