Dundalk FC v Waterford FC: Preview

Dundalk FC v Waterford FC

Friday 26 June

Oriel Park

Kick-Off, 7.45

Dundalk FC return to Oriel Park on Friday night to host Waterford FC in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Dundalk made an impressive return from the mid-season break, recording back-to-back away victories against Galway United and Bohemian FC. Manager Ciaran Kilduff's side will be looking to carry that positive momentum into their first home fixture since the resumption.

Waterford, meanwhile, will be aiming to bounce back following a 2-0 defeat to league leaders Shamrock Rovers at the RSC last Friday night.

MANAGER'S COMMENTS

"We're delighted with our recent form. I think it's a testament to the players and staff, and to how we handled the mid-season break. To come back with two away wins is a reward for all the work that was done — both individually by the players during the break and then collectively since we returned.

We were in a good run before the break as well, so overall we're in a good place at the minute as a group. There's an ambitious feel around the club right now, especially heading into the last 15 or 16 games. There's a lot of positivity around the group, but it's about getting back to normality too — keeping our feet on the ground, staying focused, and taking on what will be a tough game against Waterford.

Some of the stories that we are seeing in the World Cup show what football is all about. We are a great story also. We're a newly promoted team that has probably defied a few expectations in terms of our performances and our position in the league.

Naturally, teams like us are expected to be relegated. We were favourites to go down, but to be where we are after so many games is something we're proud of. That said, we're not mathematically safe yet. As I've said before, we're currently in a race for survival, a race for Europe, and even a title race — and we're not out of any of them right now. It's important to remember that and to take things one game at a time.

I think the supporters can see that this is a good group. They know it's a team worth backing, and they can see the honesty in the approach. It's a good place to be, but we need to keep going.

Every Friday night is another challenge. You finish one game and the next is already on the horizon. We just have to take them one at a time.

It'll be a difficult game. Waterford are a strong side, picking up form themselves and trying to build their own story and move up the table.

Hopefully we can continue on our own positive trajectory."

TEAM NEWS

Danny Mullen will miss Friday's fixture after picking up an injury last week. Conor O'Keeffe has returned to training, while Norman Garbett is making positive progress in his recovery. Harvey Warren and Conor Kearns continue their rehabilitation programmes.