Our prediction for this Ireland Premier Division match:
In-form Cork City will be aiming to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Dundalk in the Premiership round 20. The Rebel Army have been impressive at the back of late and they are likely to rely on their rock-solid defence in Friday’s showdown. Darragh Crowley suffered an injury in a 1-0 win over Drogheda, with Gordon Walker likely to step up.
The Lilywhites, on the other hand, suffered a dip in form, with the team collecting only one point in total from the last three league fixtures. Considering that Dundalk are on a three-game losing run on the road, we predict that the hosts are going to pick up all three points from the match. As for the visiting side, both Alfie Lewis and Keith Ward are pushing for a start after coming as substitutes in a 2-0 loss to ten-man Shamrock Rovers.
Highlighted Team (Dundalk):
Dundalk are the second most successful club in the Republic of Ireland in the term of titles won. In 2015 Dundalk clinched their 11th Premier Division trophy and the same season they lifted their 10th FAI Cup title. The club was founded in 1903 and their biggest rivals are Drogheda United.
The Lilywhites made it to the 2016/2017 Europa League group stages and, against all odds, they shared the spoils with AZ Alkmaar in Netherlands on their debut in Group D. Dundalk play their home matches at Oriel Park and the capacity of the stadium is 4,500 (3,000 seated). The venue was opened in 1919 and in 2005 the pitch was converted to an all-weather surface, becoming the first ever Irish club to do so.
Their home colours are white and black, whilst they play their away games in black jerseys with yellow stripes and black shorts. Joey Donnelly is one of the notable footballers who played for Dundalk in the past as he scored 141 goals for the club in all competitions.