🗞️ Match Preview | Dundalk FC vs Kerry FC

Dundalk FC
Aug 27
3 min read

Updated: Aug 29

📅 Date: Friday, August 29, 2025

⏰ Kick-off: 7.45PM

📍 Venue: Oriel Park

Dundalk FC return to Oriel Park this Friday night to face Kerry FC in Matchday 29 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division. The Lilywhites head into the clash full of momentum after a stunning 7-0 victory away to Treaty United last weekend, the only team they had yet to beat this season.

That result extended Dundalk’s winning streak to five league matches, during which they have scored an impressive 21 goals and conceded just four. Ciarán Kilduff’s men now sit top of the table on 64 points, eight clear of second-placed Cobh Ramblers, who dropped points against UCD last week. With eight games remaining, Dundalk are firmly in control of their promotion push and will look to strengthen their grip on the title race under the Oriel Park lights.

📈 Kerry’s Form

Kerry arrive in Dundalk buoyed by back-to-back victories that have lifted them into 8th place on 28 points, seven off the promotion playoff spots currently held by Treaty United.

Their most recent outing saw them edge past Longford Town at home, while the week before they secured a superb 2-0 win against second-placed Cobh Ramblers, with former Lilywhite Joe Adams grabbing the second goal.

They may be outside the top five, but their recent form shows they are more than capable of causing problems, especially against teams at the top end of the table.

⚔️ Previous Meetings

This will be the fourth clash between the sides in 2025, with Dundalk having won all three encounters so far. The first meeting came in February at Mounthawk Park, where the Lilywhites edged a tight contest 1-0 thanks to a goal from Dean Ebbe, although Leo Gaxha was sent off late on against his hometown club.

In April, the teams met again at Oriel Park, and Dundalk produced a solid display to win 2-0, with Gaxha and Daryl Horgan getting on the scoresheet. Their most recent encounter took place in July back in Tralee, when Dundalk ran out emphatic 4-0 winners with goals from Harry Groome, Eoin Kenny, Keith Ward, and Andy Paraschiv. Having already beaten Kerry both home and away this season, the Lilywhites will be aiming to complete a clean sweep in Friday’s clash.

🗣️ Kilduff’s Thoughts

Head coach Ciarán Kilduff knows what’s at stake on Friday night:

“There’s nothing more special in football, especially in the League of Ireland, than playing under the lights in Oriel Park. We’ve come through tough times as a club, but the lights are still on and these big Friday nights are what it’s all about.”

Reflecting on the season’s run-in, Kilduff underlined the importance of the home stretch:

“We know we’ve only four home games left, and we’re fighting for a title and promotion. The atmosphere has been getting better week by week and we want to finish this season as strongly as possible – on the pitch and in the stands.”

The manager also stressed that Dundalk cannot afford to let standards slip despite their strong position at the top of the table:

“Every point has to be earned, nothing is easy, and there are teams chasing us. But if we stick to our approach and belief, I’m confident we can keep going. I just ask everyone to come out, be loud, and push us on. We need the three points, and we’ll do everything we can to deliver a performance.”

📋 Team News

Dundalk have been handed a major boost with a near full squad available. Luke Mulligan returns to contention, while Ethan Vaughan has stepped up to full contact training, though he remains around two weeks away from a return.

The long-term absentees are Leo Gaxha and Sean McHale, but otherwise Kilduff has a strong panel at his disposal, with just a few minor knocks to assess ahead of kick-off.