Dundalk and Sligo Rovers both go in search of their first win of the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season when they clash at Oriel Park on Monday night.
Dundalk opened their campaign with a draw at Shamrock Rovers but, in a contrasting performance, were beaten at home by Galway United seven days later.
Stephen O’Donnell’s men were denied the opportunity to put that behind them when their trip to Bohemians on Friday was postponed due to Dalymount Park being covered in snow.
On the same evening, Sligo suffered their first defeat of the year as John O’Sullivan’s 12th-minute goal gave Shelbourne all three points at The Showgrounds.
The Bit o’Red had started with two draws, away to Bohs and at home to Derry City, with that point in the capital particularly disappointing as they led the whole second half before an injury-time equaliser.
John Russell’s side are without a league win since September, earning just three points from the 24 available since, while they have not won on the road since the first day of May when Max Mata headed the only goal of the game at Richmond Park.
Dundalk have won their last three meetings with Sligo without conceding, winning in the West 1-0 in May and 2-0 in October either side of a 1-0 victory at Oriel Park in August. However, Sligo were victorious on the Carrick Road last April thanks to Stefan Radosavljević’s late goal, after Mata and Rayhaan Tulloch had traded first-half blows.
This is the start of another busy week for the league, with Saint Patrick’s Athletic waiting for Dundalk in Dublin on Friday while Sligo entertain Shamrock Rovers on Saturday.
Tickets for Monday’s game are available online.
Team News
John Mountney is close to a full return after playing 90 minutes for the club’s MU20 side against Shelbourne on Saturday. Elsewhere, Stephen O’Donnell has a fully fit squad at his disposal.
Quotes – Stephen O’Donnell
“The players had built all week for the Bohemians game so when it was called off it was a bit of a damp squib but we’ve followed the preparation on for the last couple of days and we’re looking forward to Monday night.
“It would have been more of a disappointment if we had to go through another full week of preparation but it’s only been an extra two days which is good.
“Sligo picked up two good points in their opening two games against Bohs and Derry and even though they lost against Shelbourne on Friday night, they had a lot of possession. They have good footballers all over the park and they are a threat so we will have to be on our mettle.”
Quotes – Robbie Mahon
“It was frustrating that the Bohemians game was called off. When you lose a game like we did against Galway, you want to get out there and right the wrongs as quickly as possible but we have a big one on Monday night to look forward to.
“Both ourselves and Sligo are going into the game off a defeat and nobody in this league wants to lose two in a row so it’ll be a good game.”
Match Officials
Referee: Marc Lynch
Assistants: Wayne McDonnell and Darragh Keegan
Fourth Official: Rob Harvey
