Leinster Senior Cup Preview: St. Pats v Dundalk

The Saints return to competitive action for the first time in 2014 as Liam Buckley’s league champions welcome Dundalk to Richmond Park for the fourth round of the Leinster Senior Cup, kick-off 7.45pm tonight. 

Ticket prices for tonight’s game have been set at €10 for adults, €5 for concessions, while there is free entry for all accompanied children U12. 
 

With the two teams entering the competition in the fourth round, a place in the quarter-finals awaits the winner, though both sides desire to build up fitness ahead of both the Setanta Sports Cup next week and the beginning of the Airtricity League on March 7 is bound to be the priority for Buckley and his Dundalk counterpart, Stephen Kenny. 

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

The game presents the chance for Buckley to give senior debuts to new signings Ken Oman, Mark Quigley, Keith Fahey, Lee Lynch, Derek Foran, Conor McCormack and James Chambers. 
 

Speaking to stpatsfc.com ahead of the game, Saints’ manager Buckley spoke of the team’s progress during pre-season to date and what he hoped to get out of the game on Monday evening. 
 

“The lads have trained well over the past few weeks and you can see that everyone is happy to be back playing after the long break,” Buckley commented. 

“Tonight’s game is important in getting the lads up to speed with fitness, and as well as that, looking to get the group to gel together as best as possible. We’ve this game, next week against Ballinamallard and then the President’s Cup game against Sligo to get ready for the start of the league, so we’ll be busy over the last few weeks of our training before the league kicks off.” 

DUNDALK

Dundalk will be without Andy Boyle, who continues his return from a groin problem and Chris Shields is also ruled out through injury. Keith Ward is also ruled out as he continues his rehabilitation from a cruciate knee ligament injury however Dane Massey is in line to return to the starting line-up as he has recovered from the nasty gash he received in the Jim Malone Cup match.

The fourth round tie is another useful match for the six time winners of the competition as they look ahead to the new season and manager Stephen Kenny is expected to shuffle his pack to give his squad vital minutes on the pitch to improve match fitness.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of the match, Kenny conceded “Going to Inchicore is always tough but really it is all about preparing ourselves for the Setanta Cup the following week, it is coming early so that’s the reason we have scheduled the game for this Monday to give us a full seven days to fully prepare for Coleraine.”

Referee: Unknown

MATCH STATS

Dundalk have won only three out of their last ten matches against St Pats.

St. Pats have won the competition seven times to Dundalk’s six.

This is Mark Quigley’s second spell at St. Pats. The previous coming between seasons 2006-2009.

BETTING

Home win 5/6; Draw 12/5; Away win 13/5; provided by Paddy Power.

PREDICTION

Both teams to shuffle their packs and gain match fitness. 1-0 to St.Pats.

Home Injury News: No Injuries.

Home Suspension News: No suspensions.

Away Injury: Andy Boyle, Chris Shields, Keith Ward.

Away Suspension News: No suspensions.