MATCH PREVIEW: Dundalk FC vs Waterford FC

It’s our latest trip to county Louth this Friday evening as the Blues travel to Oriel Park to take on Dundalk FC in our third meeting between the sides this season, and we have everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.

Dundalk FC vs Waterford FC

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division

Friday 26th June 2026

Oriel Park, Dundalk

7:45pm

WATERFORD FC

Graham Coughlan’s Blues will look to return to winning ways this Friday night against Dundalk after falling to a two-nil defeat at home to Shamrock Rovers last Friday night.

The Blues will look to build on our 3-3 draw against Dundalk back at the start of May, with John Mahon firing in a late header to pick up an important point at home against last years First-Division champions.

Waterford remain at the foot of the Premier Division table, but have closed the gaps in recent weeks to just 5 points to 9th-placed Sligo Rovers.

DUNDALK FC

Ciaran Kilduff’s Dundalk remain the Premier Division surprise package for 2026 after a strong return to the Premier Division this season.

After picking up maximum points in their previous three games against Derry, Galway & most recently against Bohemians last weekend at Dalymount Park, the Lilywhites will look to continue that form against the Blues on Friday evening.

Dundalk go into tomorrow nights game with 35 points from their 21 games played to date, sitting in fourth position in the league table.

WATERFORD FC TEAM NEWS

Cian Barrett is available for selection for tomorrow night, having sat out last week’s game against Shamrock Rovers due to his loan agreement with his parent club.

Evan McLaughlin (foot) & Finlay Armstrong (quad) continue their recovery from their respective injuries, while Jordan Houston – who was forced off early into the second-half last week – is available for selection tomorrow night in Dundalk.

GRAHAM COUGHLAN’S THOUGHTS

“The players will be keen to bounce back to correct what was wrong last Friday night. It’s a huge test and a big opportunity against Dundalk – a team who have been having a really solid season so far, so it isn’t going to be easy. But as I’ve said before, no game [in the League of Ireland] is going to be easy. It’s about reaction now and the lads bouncing back from last Friday night. The players are honest and have said they could’ve given a better account of themselves, so the key now is bouncing back and do what we didn’t get right last Friday.

With the weather this week, naturally we’ve had to adjust and make a few tweaks. Of course the pitch we’re playing on tomorrow night is different so we’ve had to get ready for that. But, as normal, this group of players have worked their socks off in training every day. It’s been good & enjoyable – it’s a bit like pre-season in a foreign country at the moment- so hopefully the work we’ve been putting in all week will come out on Friday night.

Dundalk are where they are for a reason. They’re a good team, a high intense team who go after you. They press you with their individual players. They have a lot of experience in their ranks as well, so it’s going to be tough for us. They’re a really good team on the transition, and strong defensively, so we need to be at our best and keep them star players quiet and impose our game on them. Dundalk have made a positive impact on the league this year, and I’ve enjoyed watching them this year – they play on the front foot & go after teams. But first and foremost, we’ve got to match their attitude and work rate if we’re to get anything out of the game tomorrow night, and if we match it then we’ve got a chance.”

STEPHEN MCMULLAN’S THOUGHTS

“The squad have been working hard this week in training. Obviously it was a tough result for us last week [against Shamrock Rovers], but I think everyone can see game-by-game we’re growing in confidence, and we’re fully confident going into the game tomorrow.

Dundalk are a hard-working team, but so are we. There’s been a big change since we last went up there, and of course it will be a battle tomorrow, but one we’ll be fully prepared for.

Since Graham has come in, everyone can see the shift in work rate. Everyone’s enjoying playing under him, and hopefully we can go and prove it tomorrow.”