LOI Fixtures Week 5 March 27-28th, 2015

Dundalk v Sligo Rovers

The tie of the day features two of the better sides in the league, both with differing fortunes so far in the league, with Dundalk winning all their opening four fixtures and Sligo failing to produce a win in their opening 4 fixtures. Under Owen Heary with heavy investment, it was expected that Sligo would be performing better than their 2 points show, and they were arguably unfortunate to take nothing from their recent tie against Shamrock Rovers.

Heary expects one of the toughest tests of the season going to Dundalk tomorrow: “They are a very good side that have been together for three years now and are well tuned in to what they have to do. They are the champions and play on the astro pitch so it is a very difficult place to go. But we are going to go there and be positive and look to take the game to them. If we can eradicate the mistakes we have been making then we can take something from the game.

“We want to go and win the game. We will not be going there and looking for a draw, you can’t have that negative approach. If you sit back and defend that plays into their hands they will hurt you. We have the quality, the ability and the skill in our team so that is what we will be trying to do.”

Dundalk come into this fixture having trounced Bohemians in a 3-0 victory where they really flattered to deceive.

Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny has already come out and added to the building tension before the game stating:

"We won't do a Sligo"

“Not only did it count for nothing, they finished miles (it was only two points) behind us. I remember thinking ‘Jesus’ when they beat us 3-1 in the first series of games. Then we lost at home to Derry weeks later. We were 12 points behind Sligo and I was thinking we had a long way to go to get to that level. It was a real seminal moment for me, where I had to go back to the drawing board and think ‘where am I going with this? I know you shouldn’t expect too much too soon, but I did."

Kenny added: “We had something like a 22-point swing with Sligo but that won’t happen to us because all the players in our dressing room are just so hungry and good professionals. There’s a culture of the team comes first and that’s very important to us. We need to keep expressing ourselves and scoring the goals we can.”

Bohs were better value than Tuesday’s 3-0 scoreline suggests but they tired late on after losing Anto Murphy to a red card early in the second-half. And having given it everything, they were swatted aside in the dying minutes when subs Jake Kelly and Darren Meenan scored to gloss over their scrappy opener.

Kenny said: “We know we can play better and we’re not punching the air. 3-0 flattered us a little but we still haven’t conceded in four games and Tuesday’s game was probably the most chances we have conceded. We’ve to go again tomorrow and let’s see if we can have a magical week. We had two big teams, St Pat’s and Bohemians, and to win both 3-0 was convincing enough.”

With both sides playing midweek and again on Friday it'll be their 3rd game in 7 days, but Heary doesn’t feel that should be an issue: “We have been going from games to recovery and straight back to games again. That makes it difficult to work on the things we want to work on in training but I still expect the players to be fresh. They will definitely be up for it. The game is on tv and that often give the players that extra motivation to do well. We will be going out there to show everyone what we are about and hopefully we can get the three points to kick start our season.”

Prediction 2-1

Derry v Drogheda



Two sides who'll finish around 6th-8th in the league, Drogheda will be without Alan Byrne who's suspended after taking down Paul O'Connor in the box in their last game against Limerick, where the Drogs came back late on to draw with one of the worst sides in the league Limerick.

Derry have had the tougher start to the season coming up against title contenders Sligo, Dundalk and Pats, while amassing 4 points, with their only win coming from an away trip to Galway. Drogheda on the other hand have taken 7 from a possible 12, though having played Bray, Galway, and Limerick already, and struggling twice against Galway who're weak, and Limerick who're also a poor side.

Derry City's Shane McEleney is hoping his side can repeat last years FAI Cup Quarter Final Replay result and smash Drogheda 5-0. The big centre-back, who has knuckled down so much this season that he’s virtually the first name on Peter Hutton’s team-sheet, insists there is more to come from him. Derry though do have injuries to worry about, with the side having a number of injury concerns for the upcoming fixture with Gerard Doherty (neck and shoulder), Shaun Kelly (ankle), Dean Jarvis (toe), Ryan McBride (back) and Philip Lowry (groin) all struggling.

Mark Timlin returns to the squad after serving his one match suspension, while Stephen Dooley has also started jogging, but he is likely to be still missing for another few weeks.

Derry at home, should beat a side who notoriously don't travel well, and have already been beaten by first division Shelbourne this season.

Prediction 2-0 Elding with both

Galway v Longford

Galway United FCVSLongford Town

We're only 5 games into the season and we're already potentially facing up to what could be a relegation six pointer in Galway against Longford this friday night.

Galway come into this fixture hoping to win two at home on the bounce, but will come under scrutiny against Longford Town this friday. After losing comfortably away to Cork City its looking likely that Galway will be reliant on its home form if they stand a chance of surviving in the League of Ireland's premier division this season. Last season the two sides met four times in the First Division with Longford beating Galway twice with Galway only winning once and the other fixture ending in a stalemate.

Galway's manager, Tommy Dunne, has already announced the importance of the fixture

“We know the Longford Town game is going to be a big one, against Cork City, there was some aspects of the game I was pleased with. Again, we need to tighten up from set pieces but at no stage in the game did I think Cork City overly troubled us from open play. We have little time to think about the Cork City game, now our focus is fixed on the Longford Town game and on getting another positive result at home, preferably a win.”

Dunne knows though with the injuries to his squad that a result at home will be difficult for his side to achieve with Galway picking up another injury to Ryan Connolly against Cork.

“We’re depleted at the moment, but we’re hoping Enda Curran and Colm Horgan will be back in contention while Sam Oji returns from suspension so that’s a boost. That’s the reason we have a squad. Just look at Andy O’Connell who came in and did really well at Turners Cross. Players are hungry to get involved and make their mark for Galway United. We might have to change things around a bit for the Longford Town game but I’m hopeful we can go and pick up another result at home. If the players apply themselves, I’m sure we will.”

For the fixture Galway will be without, Cantwell, Hanley, Ludden, McDonagh, Connolly, and Curran and Horgan are both doubtful but are expected to be fit in time for the game.

Longford come into the fixture having beaten Bray 2-0 at home in what was a comfortable victory De Town go into the fixture full of confidence that they can beat Galway.Longford strengthened smartly over the summer with Connor Powell joining the experienced squad full of league winners in Pat Sullivan, Pat Flynn, Stephen Rice and Mark Rossiter. With goal machine David O'Sullivan and this experience the Town should get a result away from home.

Prediction 1-2

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians

After a shaky start Rovers are starting to tick, they've invested wisely over the summer and under Pat Fenlon they're sure to become stronger and stronger as the season progresses.