Dundalk V Finn Harps | Fri 24 Aug | 7.45pm | Oriel Park | FAI Cup R2

[Ezeikial]

Team selection should take into consideration both our ambition to win the FAI Cup and the key league game against Rovers on Tuesday night.

With 4 days between games, Stephen Kenny may decide to stick to his normal practice and pick his strongest starting side in both games. I hope he integrates a number of the key players who were on the bench in Sligo into the team to boost their fitness levels.

I'm thinking in particular:
Daniel Cleary
Dean Jarvis
Karolis Chvedukas (if available)
John Mountney
Ronan Murray
Patrick McEleney
Georgie Kelly

Seven changes to the starting line up may be too many, but most or all of these players could get game time

[El Paso]

My list of players who we can't afford to lose is (in order): Hoban, Shields, Duffy, Rogers.

I'd rest the four of those for starters. What's the story with this Treacy lad in goals we got from Swansea?

[dell1]

Is Kelly cup tied or was that just the EA Cup? I'd have Sheilds rested before Hoban unless Kelly isnt available. Sheilds is the key man in the team at the moment imo for all the great performances and goals by Duffy and Hoban. Tracey isnt that beig for a keeper especially if up against what would be a big and physical Harps side, its a game that Rogers own physical presence in the area could be needed.

[ArFella]

Is Kelly cup tied or was that just the EA Cup? I'd have Sheilds rested before Hoban unless Kelly isnt available. Sheilds is the key man in the team at the moment imo for all the great performances and goals by Duffy and Hoban. Tracey isnt that beig for a keeper especially if up against what would be a big and physical Harps side, its a game that Rogers own physical presence in the area could be needed.

That was just the EA Sports cup, Kelly started the FAI Cup game against Cobh, pulled up with what looked like a hamstring injury after about 75 mins.

[Ezeikial]

Team news

Stephen O’Donnell remains out as he continues his recovery from a broken leg while Karolis Chvedukas is a doubt with an ankle injury.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/team-news-vs-finn-harps-6/

[Ezeikial]

Match Previews from a Finn Harps presepctive:

Donegal Now - Match Preview
https://www.donegalnow.com/sport/sam-to ... ash/244501

Highland Radio - Oisin Kelly & Kevin McHugh audio link

http://www.highlandradio.com/2018/08/23 ... n-the-cup/

[Ezeikial]

Extratime preview

http://www.extratime.ie/articles/21579/ ... inn-harps/

[Ezeikial]

Demo article

Omens stacked in Dundalk FC's favour ahead of tonight's repeat of 1981 FAI Cup semi-final against Finn Harps
IRISH DAILY MAIL FAI CUP

https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/spo ... harps.html

[iloveduffy.com]

Sava gk
Gannon rb
Massey lb
Cleary cb
Hoare cb
Jarvis dmf
Connolly rw
Murray lw
McElheney cm
Mountney cm
Kelly fw

[Ezeikial]

Sava gk
Gannon rb
Massey lb
Cleary cb
Hoare cb
Jarvis dmf
Connolly rw
Murray lw
McElheney cm
Mountney cm
Kelly fw

I was thinking along similar lines earlier in the week - but it is hard to imagine Stephen Kenny picking a second choice starting line-up for this match, particularly after the debacle in Cobh.

If he was to go this route, he may as well go the whole hog and start Poynton and Folan:

Sava
Poynton | Cleary | Folan | Massey
Jarvis | McEleney
Mountney | Murray | Connolly
Kelly

Subs
Hoare |Gannon
Shields | Duffy |McGrath
Hoban
Rogers

[El Paso]

Sava gk
Gannon rb
Massey lb
Cleary cb
Hoare cb
Jarvis dmf
Connolly rw
Murray lw
McElheney cm
Mountney cm
Kelly fw

11 out of 11!

So are you Stephen Kenny, or does Stephen Kenny take his cues from you?!

[El Paso]

Comfortable once we took the lead and nice to see Kelly off the mark, but to be fair the chance/conversion ratio must be horrendous for the night's work!

Thought there was a real nice balance to the Jarvis/Mountney midfield pairing tonight - in comparison to the often unbalanced Shields/Benson pairing. Not a lot of passing vision, but wouldn't mind seeing the 4-3-3 version with McGrath or Shields in the middle of them in the games where midfield is more of a battle and possession isn't guaranteed.

[Ezeikial]

Sava gk
Gannon rb
Massey lb
Cleary cb
Hoare cb
Jarvis dmf
Connolly rw
Murray lw
McElheney cm
Mountney cm
Kelly fw

That's impressive - even getting the positions right for Murray, Mountney & Connolly

[niall_hearty2000]

Thought mountney had a great game.

[Ezeikial]

Stephen Kenny post match interview

https://audioboom.com/posts/6983808-stephen-kenny