The irony of it all. Dundalk are set to play a friendly game against Brentford on Wednesday in order to prepare for their Europa League clash against AZ Alkmaar on November 24th, according to leagueofireland.ie.
After eight games in September and ten games in October Dundalk will only have played two competitive games in November (their Europa League game away to Zenit on 3rd November and their FAI Cup defeat to Cork City three days later) by the time they take to the stage at Tallaght Stadium to face AZ. Presumably then the Lilywhites will be attempting to organise further fixtures ahead of an away game against Maccabi Tel Aviv at Netanya Stadium on 8th December.
@c1aranc @DundalkFC They'll see that as a 'glamour tie' in Brentford.
— Gavin McLaughlin (@McLaughlinGavin) November 13, 2016
@McLaughlinGavin @DundalkFC How far we have come that we are travelling to the UK for friendlies rather than UK clubs travelling to Ireland
— CiaránC (@c1aranc) November 13, 2016
While Brentford will almost certainly have a reserve side playing it will nevertheless be a good run-out for Stephen Kenny's outfit as Brentford currently lie in 12th place in the Championship. And, because of the close proximity of the game, there will undoubtedly be a few scouts from British sides present to observe the skills of Andy Boyle and others who have impressed in Dundalk's European adventure.
Just how easy Stephen Kenny will find it to hold onto the likes of Boyle remains to be seen - the Dundalk players will have seen Richie Towell's recent re-emergence at Brighton and might fancy a piece of the action across the water.
