Ireland > President's Cup - Saturday, 28 February

[McNasara]

Dundalk vs St Patrick's The game between the winners of the previous season's Premier Division and FAI Cup, Dundalk against St Patrick's will be played at Oriel Park (Dundalk) at 3 pm. It is expected rainy weather that could make it harder for both teams, but the hosts will be at an advantage because they are accustomed to their artificial pitch. Both sides are entering a new season in good mood: Dundalk ended a 19-year wait to win the League of Ireland, edging rivals Cork City in the final game of the last season, while Pats have won the FAI Cup last year for the first time in 53 years. The Lilywhites go into the game on the back of a good pre-season schedule: 1:1 Warrenpiont, 2:1 UCD (LSC game), 6:1 UCD, 5:0 Northern Ireland Juniors and 2:0 Drogheda (JMC game) - scoring 16 times in the process while conceding just three. However, it should be said that they have lost their top scorer in the previous two seasons, P. Hoban who moved to Oxford. Good news is arrival of two offensive midfielders: R. Finn from Shamrock (club top scorer in 2013) and J. Kelly from Bray (club top scorer in 2014). Regarding absences Stephen Kenny can't count on captain S. O'Donnell (midfielder) and left back D. Massey. Right back S. Gannon, a new centre back P. Barret and two midfielders D. Horgan and J. Mountney will come back into the squad since have recovered. The Saints have also scored 16 goals in pre-season, but they have done it in a game less than Dundalk and without conceding a goal: 7:0 Tolka (LSC game), 1:0 Wexford, 6:0 Cabinteely and 2:0 Shelbourne. They defeated Sligo Rovers 1-0 in the inaugural President's Cup clash at Richmond Park last year thanks to Keith Fahey's goal. He is the only key player who left the team moving to Shamrock, but in the opposite direction arrived experienced centre back J. McGuinness and lethal striker C. Kilduff. Away coach Liam Buckley may also be without club captain, right back G. O'Brien and centre back K. Browne who are in doubt. Probably the two best teams in the country after the great performed pre-season games opening domestic football season in Ireland. Dundalk and St. Patrick's faced off four times last season (1-1-2). Very hard to find the right call here, but the Lilywhites are known for their incredible performance in the second half and they could again to display that with regard to better adaptability on their artificial pitch and heavy rain which will start then. But I can't believe them because the attack is their weakest point, and while the Saints have a very strong defense. prediction: 1:1 bet for fun: Dundalk 2nd half @2.80 Paddy Power reccomended bet: no bet

[McNasara]

Re: Ireland > President's Cup - Saturday, 28 February 2:1 All three goals have been scored in just three minutes in the first half.