Stephen Kenny: Dundalk have belief for Cork City clash
However, the outcome of the top-of-the-table clash could have a huge bearing on which of the two sides goes on to fulfil their double ambitions, with an FAI Cup final between the pair on November 6 also on the horizon.
Saturday’s results, which saw Dundalk lose 3-0 at home to Sligo Rovers at the same time as Cork were winning 5-0 away to Galway United, means there’s just a point between the sides, with John Caulfield’s men having a chance to leapfrog their opponents in the standings tonight for the first time in 725 days if they can claim their second victory at Oriel Park this season.
The last time they were above the men from the North East was on October 17, 2014. Dundalk had drawn back-to-back matches against Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers to leave Cork a point in front heading into a final-day shoot-out at the Louth venue a week later. However, goals from Stephen O’Donnell and Brian Gartland secured the Lilywhites a 2-0 win and their first Premier Division title in 19 years.
Now almost two years on, manager Stephen Kenny feels his side can repeat that feat to keep their dreams of a double-double on track.
“That was a big night for us,” he said, reflecting on that title showdown. “We won that night and we’ll need another big performance from the players like that one. A victory is our ambition and I’m confident we can get it.
“Cork have been playing well and have been scoring a lot of goals, but we’re the league champions for the last two years in a row and we have belief.
“Our players have shown they can step up on the big nights and this is another of those big nights.
“A win would put us four points up, which would be a brilliant position to be in, so that has to be our ambition now,” said Kenny.
For a Cork side who have been superb in recent years, it hasn’t always been easy to be in Dundalk’s shadow and forever filling the role of bridesmaid.
A fourth straight victory over their rivals would be a clear indication that the tide is turning though and Caulfield believes his side are well equipped to take that extra step towards some silverware by beating the reigning champions on home soil.
“We felt all season that we could make a title chase of it even if some people around the country thought we couldn’t,” he said defiantly.
“We have closed an oft-times 10-point gap to a single point now and it’s very much game-on in front of the TV cameras tonight.
“The spirit and the attitude of our team is very good and we have won eight of the last nine. This year, we have scored more goals and kept a record number of clean sheets [19 so far] and we have added pace and steel to our side.
“Dundalk are getting all the plaudits and they deserve it with their fabulous European runs, but our current run of form, our results, and our goals ratio has been exceptional and it’s been better than them,” said Caulfield.
Both sides have their injury doubts ahead of the big game. Dundalk’s Sean Gannon (calf), Patrick McEleney (hip), Robbie Benson (groin) and Ciaran Kilduff (concussion) are all slight doubts, with the latter duo having missed Saturday’s defeat to Sligo.
Cork City have veteran Dave Mulcahy back from suspension but Gearóid Morrissey is a slight doubt with a tight hamstring with Caulfield saying he is loathe to risk him on the all-weather surface in case he aggravates it further.
Kevin O’Connor, Alan Bennett and Steven Beattie are also nursing slight knocks, but are expected to be fit.
Tom Connolly, who has yet to officiate a match between the two sides since both managers took over, will referee the game.
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